1873 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts

none March 2026 September 2023 1873 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts presidential no 1871 United States Senate election in Massachusetts 1871 1877 United States Senate election in Massachusetts 1877 March 11 and 12, 1873 x160px Majority vote of the Massachusetts Legislature needed to win Votes File:George Boutwell, Brady-Handy photo portrait, ca1870-1880.jpg George S. Boutwell Republican Party (US) 152 55.27% File:HLDawes.jpg Henry L. Dawes Republican Party (US) 115 41.82% Senator Henry Wilson Republican Party (United States) George S. Boutwell Republican Party (United States) The 1873 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts was held in March 1873 to fill the vacancy left by Senator Henry Wilson, who resigned to become Vice President of the United States. George S. Boutwell won the election. At the time, Massachusetts elected United States senators by a majority vote of each separate house of the Massachusetts General Court, the House and the Senate. However, the Senate deadlocked in this race; it was moved that both houses would vote as one, and Boutwell won the combined vote. Background At the time, the Massachusetts legislature was dominated the Republican Party. Republicans held all but one of the State Senate seatsLeading the Way: a History of the Massachusetts General Court, 1629-1980 Cornelius Dalton John Wirkkala Anne Thomas 0961391502 Massachusetts Secretary of State 1984 Boston Political Complexion of the General Court 1867-1980 441+ Composition of the Massachusetts State Senate Mass.gov June 6, 2020 Resources on Massachusetts Political Figures in the State Library https://www.mass.gov/service-details/resources-on-massachusetts-political-figures-in-the-state-library https://web.archive.org/web/20200606063917/https://www.mass.gov/doc/composition-of-the-massachusetts-state-senate-0/download and 211 of 240 state House seats.Composition of the State of Massachusetts House of Representatives Mass.gov June 6, 2020 Resources on Massachusetts Political Figures in the State Library https://www.mass.gov/service-details/resources-on-massachusetts-political-figures-in-the-state-library https://web.archive.org/web/20200606064043/https://www.mass.gov/doc/composition-of-the-massachusetts-state-house-of-representatives-0/download Incumbent Senator Henry Wilson resigned from office upon his election as Vice President of the United States, creating a vacancy for the term ending in 1877. Election March 11 Both houses of the General Court began balloting on March 11. Boutwell achieved a majority of the House on the second ballot, but the Senate deadlocked. First House ballotHenry Wilson's Successor: Secretary Boutwell's Chances 12 Mar 1873 The New York Times 4 George S. Boutwell Republican Party (US) 110 46.41% Henry L. Dawes Republican Party (US) 83 35.02% George B. Loring Republican Party (US) 16 6.75% William Whiting Republican Party (US) 9 3.80% Nathaniel Prentiss Banks Republican Party (US) 9 3.80% Ebenezer R. Hoar Republican Party (US) 7 2.95% William G. Whittier Unknown 1 0.42% William E. Sanford Republican Party (US) 1 0.42% John K. Tarbox Democratic Party (US) 1 0.42% 237 100.00% Second House ballot George S. Boutwell Republican Party (US) 124 52.10% Henry L. Dawes Republican Party (US) 92 38.66% George B. Loring Republican Party (US) 10 4.20% William Whiting Republican Party (US) 6 2.52% William E. Sanford Republican Party (US) 2 0.84% John K. Tarbox Democratic Party (US) 2 0.84% Nathaniel Prentiss Banks Republican Party (US) 1 0.42% Ebenezer R. Hoar Republican Party (US) 1 0.42% 238 100.00% Senate President George Loring, who was a candidate for the seat, did not vote. One member was absent. First Senate ballot Henry L. Dawes Republican Party (US) 11 28.95% George S. Boutwell Republican Party (US) 10 26.32% George B. Loring Republican Party (US) 9 23.68% Ebenezer R. Hoar Republican Party (US) 4 10.53% William Whiting Republican Party (US) 2 5.26% George Frisbie Hoar Republican Party (US) 1 2.63% Charles Gordon Greene Democratic Party (US) 1 2.63% 38 100.00% Second Senate ballot Henry L. Dawes Republican Party (US) 12 31.58% George S. Boutwell Republican Party (US) 9 23.68% George B. Loring Republican Party (US) 9 23.68% Ebenezer R. Hoar Republican Party (US) 4 10.53% William Whiting Republican Party (US) 2 5.26% George Frisbie Hoar Republican Party (US) 1 2.63% Charles Gordon Greene Democratic Party (US) 1 2.63% 38 100.00% The third and fourth ballots were identical. Third and fourth Senate ballot Henry L. Dawes Republican Party (US) 15 39.47% George S. Boutwell Republican Party (US) 10 26.32% George B. Loring Republican Party (US) 8 21.05% William Whiting Republican Party (US) 2 5.26% Ebenezer R. Hoar Republican Party (US) 1 2.63% George Frisbie Hoar Republican Party (US) 1 2.63% Charles Gordon Greene Democratic Party (US) 1 2.63% 38 100.00% March 12 Following Boutwell's victory in the House, it was widely expected the Senate would ratify their choice the next day. Dawes supporters convened a caucus and decided to continue their support. On the next day, it was moved that both Houses would vote as one to ratify the choice. Joint ballotElection of Ex-Secretary Boutwell as United States Senator. The New York Times 1 13 Mar 1873 George S. Boutwell Republican Party (US) 152 55.27% Henry L. Dawes Republican Party (US) 115 41.82% George B. Loring Republican Party (US) 2 0.73% John K. Tarbox Democratic Party (US) 2 0.73% William Whiting Republican Party (US) 2 0.73% Charles Gordon Greene Democratic Party (US) 2 0.73% 275 100.00% References 1873 Massachusetts United States Senate Massachusetts 1873 Massachusetts United States Senate 1873