The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-12-05
WORCESTER,
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1921.
GOVERNoUR OF MaLNR
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GOVER.NOUR OF MAINE.
The Constitution of Maine provides that, ia
case ofa vacancy in the Executive chair, the
duties of Govemour shall devolve, first upon
the President ofthe Senate, then on the Speak
er of the House Of Representatives. The first
Gubenatorial term has not yet expired, and
already have occurred the contingencies thus
contemplated by the Constitution. 1t is known
that Gov. King has been appointed, by the
President of the United States, one of the Com
missioners under the Florida Treaty. Upon
his accepting that appointment he ceased to
be Governour, since, by the Constitution of
Maine, the two offices are incompatible. Tie.
duties of Govemour then devolved upon Hon..
William ID. Williamson, President of the Sem
ate. After dischargmg those duties for short
time, Mr.. w. was elected Representative to
Congress. This Office being also incompatible
with that of GOVERNOR, the Executive chair,
would have again become vacant upon his ac-
cepting that Office and its duties wouldhaye de-
volved upon Hon. Benjamin Arnss, Speaker Of
the House. Here, however, a 'difflculty occur
red, which was obviated in a singular manner.
In the late contest for the Office of Cover
nour, between Judge Paris and Gen. Win
gate, the parties became violent, and manifest
ed towards each other an embittered spirit.
Mir. Ames, being partizan of Gen. Wingate,
had rendered himself obnoxious to the success
full party, to which Mrs Williamson belongs.
To permit Mr.. Ames TO succeed the Execu-
tive chair, for a period however short, was
therefore contamination far from being 6 de-
youtly wished !" and it became an object, as We
have understood, prevent it, if itcould be done
fairly. To accomplish this, all that was neccs-
sary was forsMr. Williamson to defer signifying
his acceptance of the Office of Representative
to Congress, until the expiration of the present
Gubernatorial term. Being himself the acting
GoVernour, it is obvious that he had the whole
affair within his own control; and could notify
himself OF his election, and signify his accept
ance of it, at any time. Accordingly, Mr.
Williamson has continued to be the acting
Govemour, notwithstanding it is well known
thathe has been elected a Representative to
Congress.
Recently, however, the case has assumed
new aspect. 1t is said, and repeated, in the
Maine papers, that Mr.. Williamson has, in
fact, accepted the Office of Representative, in
asnuch as he has sent by the mails several let
tiers, franked g HIM. d. Williamson, NJ CO..
This act, it is insisted, is virtually relin-
quishment Of the Executive, chair, since it is
the exercise of one of the privileges of a mem
Der of Congress. The duties of Governor,
therefore, deyolye. by the Consultation, upon
the Speaker of the House of Representatives
But it is.now said that Mr.. Ames has formally
resigned his seat in the House of Representa-
tiyes; and if so, there is no Speaker of the
House. Insuch acase the Constitution makes
1.-THE duty ofthe Secretary Of the State imme-
diately to convene, the Senate for the choice of
anew President, to act as Governour for the
remainder of the term.
Whether Mr.. Williamson admits the alleg-
edeHectof his, ranking letters, is somewhat
doubtful. In the mean time the affair affords
occasion for the discussion of the constitution
al question: question which, though, in the
present case, involving no momentous conse-
quences, may hereafter have an important in
fuence as a precedent.