Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-09-26
WAY LEGISLATURE
ELECTS GOVERNOR
But Once before in Half a Century
Has General Assembly Had
This Duty.

Montpelier, Sept. 23.-As there has been
but one occasion in more than half a
century when the frcemcn of the State
have failed to elect Il governor, the de-
tails of procedure in such case are not
generally known. That failure was I'm 1902.
10 years ago, and reference to the official
record at that time shows what course
will be followed when the General AS
scmbly convenes next week.
The two houses In 1902 met as usual on
October 1 and Immediately organized, the
House ~electing John II. Mortified speaker
and the Senate choosing Chauncey w.
Brownell president pro tenn. The COM
mittee to canvass votes for State Of
ficers, a joint committee. was at once
appointed and a resolution was adopted
providing for a joint assembly at four
o'clock that afternoon, to hear the re-
port of the committee; "and If 1t shall he
declared by said committee hat there
has been no election of either of said
officers by popular vote. then to proceed
forthwith to the election of such officers
not elected by popular vote as aforesaid. =
1t appears. then. that the election OF
State officers will not necessarily take
place on the first day of the session.. ~
that the time Of election will be deter.
mined by the two houses.
In the afternoon of the first day of the
1902 session Senator Backus of Rutland
county offered a resolution. requiring the
canvassing to call on the var.
ious town clerks for the ballots cast foi
State officers at the September election
This was In line with the contention OF
p. W. Clemcnt that the constitution re.
quired that the votes themselves should
be counted not the returns of the vote.
as made to the secretary of state. Or
motion of Senator Emery Of Orang,
county the Backus resolution was or.
dered to lie. and the Joint assembly con.
vened at four o'clock.
The canvassing committee reported
that there Is no election of governor b,
the f%rccncn.'' The Joint assembly Their
proceeded to ballot with the result tina
PCS votes were cast.
John g. Mccullough had ..........lGi
r.. W. McGettrick 45
+. w. Clement ................... 80
and Mr.. Mccullough was declared elected
The same proceedings were had i.
the case Of MISUNDERSTANDING. The other
State officers We're elected by popula'
I vote.
This procedure in the main must b,
followed next week, but this yea.
there must be "A ballot for all the Stat.
officers.
1t is quite possible that republicans
democrats AMI progrcssives may h,
willing to delay the election for a da,
or two after assembling. in view o
the uncertainty that surrounds tn
situation.
There is little ioubt that Allen NJ
Fletcher will be elected by the JON
assembly. though his majority may b,
smaller than his friends claim.
There will he according to presen'
returns. 272 votes on the joint ballot
and 1877 will therefore be required !.
elect. II Mr.. Fletcher should not 1nv
more than 1875 there would be an on
%portunity for n combination agains'
him. This may he effected or a deal
lock may result. In the event OF ;
deadlock John a. Mead will continue
to exercise the functions OF governor
proceed to the election of the othc'
state officers before the ~governorshi'
Is settled. but II 1t should not. II.
present ncumbents will continue II
their places.
There appears to be no doubt of tn
governor in any went as he Is tn,
regular republican nominee and is az
ceptable to the progressrves.