Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-19
GOVERNOR TO
CALL SPECIAL
ELECTION ON
SENAT0RSH|P
Provision by R e Wis e d
Statutes and i. S.
Constitution

The death of Senator Edwin c. Bur-
leigh at once draws attention to the
question Of the choice Of a successor.
Congress is now in session and in
to have the vacancy filled as speedily
as possible. In the past the method
would have been by appointment by
the Governor unless the Maine Legis-
1ature was in session when the vaccan
cy would have been filled by election
by the Legislature. But this has been
changed by the amendment to the con-
stitution OF the United States provid-
ing for the election of United States
senators by election by the people.
The Maine election laws in connection
with this constitutional change provide
that in the case a vacancy occurs in
United States senatorship that the
Governor shall forthwith issue his
warrant calling for a special election.
In some states as evidently in Illinois,
the Legislature has taken advantage
Of the constitutional privilege provid-
ing that the Governor Of a state may
make an ad interim appointment until
the people fill the vacancy. In this
State. however, no provision has been
made by the Legislature for such ac-
ton by the Governor.
An amendment approved March 10,
1915, to Section So, Chapter Of the
Revised Statutes makes that section
read as follows, this being the latest
Maine legislation bearing upon this
subject
Section 90. Whenever a vacancy
occurs in the representation Of the
State in the Senate of the United
States or in the National House of
Representatives. the Governor, in any
manner having knowledge thereof,
shall issue his proclamation for an
election to fill the same. If Congress Is
in session when such vacancy occurs.
the proclamation shall issue forthwith;
otherwise, in season to secure repre-
sentation at the next called or regu-
lar session of Congress-"
The provisions Of the primary election
law applicable to this require the Gov
ernor to conform the proceedings as near
as may be to such proceedings for the
usual primaries with the exception that
the Governor in connection with the spe-
cial primary shall fix the time within
which nomination papers shall be filed
and the time for transmitting to town
clerks the lists Of candidates proposed
for nomination.
Following is the amendment to the Con-
stitution of the United States:
Art. 1s. In lieu Of the first paragraph
Of Section 3 of Article 1, and of so much
Of paragraph two of the same section as
relates to the filling of vacancies). The
Senate Of the United States shall be COM
posed of two senators from each state.
elected by the people thereof. for six
years; and each senator shall have one
vote. The electors in each state shall
have the qualifications requisite for cleo
tors of the most numerous branch Of
state legislatures.
when vacancies happen In the repre-
sentation Of any state In the Senate, the
executive authority Of such state shall
issue writs Of election to All such vacan-
sizes: Provided that the legislature of
any state may empower the executive
thereof to make temporary appointment
until the people fill the vacancies by cleo
ton as the legislature may direct"