Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-03
STATE HOUSE.
Question Raised Whether
Governors Proclamation
Is Necessary Before Filling
Legislative Vacancies.
Eastern S. S. Corporation Files New
Articles Of Organization.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
REGULAR Meeting of Governor and
Council, Thursday, Jan. 10, 1912, at
10 A. M

Now that date has been fixed for
the special session of the Legislature
and that proclamations and writs oil
election have been issued by Governor
Plaisted to fill the three vacancies IN
the senatorial districts, the question
arises as to what is to be done i'll re-
gard to filling the more numerous va
cancies in the House of Representa-
tive.
The Revised Statutes provide Tor
the calling of elections to fill such
vacancies by mayors and aldermen OF
cities. selectmeu of towns not classed
with other municipalities. and the Sc
: lectmeu of the oldest town, III the
case of class towns. 1t is now being
quite seriously questioned in some
quarters whether or not Section II OF
the Direct Primary law, which pro-
vides that when special elections are
to be held for any office as required by
law, primary elections for the noml-
nation of candidates to be voted for
thereat shall be held at such time
as shall be ordered by the Governor
by proclamation, means that proela-
nation from the Executive is neces-
sary before elections can be had TO
classes. The Revised Statutes desig-
mates the officials who shall call cleo
tions to fill such vacancies and some
contend that the municipal officers
must, after deciding to hold elections,
call upon the Governor 10 proclaim
direct primary for them. while others
argue that no election can be held un-
less the Governor first proclaims the
primaries.
In addition To the six members of
the House. who have died since the
session opened last January, four
members have resigned to accept other
offices: Joseph Williamson of Augusta,
who was appointed county attorney of
Kennebec county to succeed Fred En-
cry Beane. who became judge of the
Eennebec municipal court. William r.
Pattangall of Waterville, who resigned
to become attorney general; Frank e.
Mace of Great Pond. who resigned to
become State land agent and forest
commissioner: and Houghton H. Put
nam of East LiYermore. who resigned
to become judge Of the Jiyermore
Falls municipal court No designations
have been filed in the ease Of John s.
p. II. Wilson of Auburn. who was APP
pointed chairman of the inland fish
cries and game commission to sue
coed the late James w, Bracket of
Phillips. or in the case of Frederick
Bogue of East Machias. who was APP
pointed member of the State Board
of Arbitration and Cancellation. to sue
coed Robert r. Dunton OF Belfast. who
became State bank commissioner.
Should the two representatives last
named resign. as they probably will.
before the opening of the special ses-
sion, it viii leave seven Democratic
and five Republican vacancies in the
House. making the total Democratic
strength. 50. and the total Republican
strength. 80, thus giving Il Democratic
majority OF II, in the place of the ma
jority OF % which the dominant party
had at the opening of the session.
These l. vacancies viii leave unrep-
resented at the special session. If no
elections are held to fill them, total
population of 62,372. according to the
figures of the last census. or Il little
over eight per cent of the population
of the State.