1873 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts
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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.
Election in the House
The House and Senate both began voting on March 11. On the second ballot, Boutwell won a narrow majority.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | George S. Boutwell | 110 | 46.41% | |
Republican | Henry L. Dawes | 83 | 35.02% | |
Republican | George B. Loring | 16 | 6.75% | |
Republican | William Whiting | 9 | 3.80% | |
Republican | Nathaniel Prentiss Banks | 9 | 3.80% | |
Republican | Ebenezer R. Hoar | 7 | 2.95% | |
Unknown | William G. Whittier | 1 | 0.42% | |
Republican | William E. Sanford | 1 | 0.42% | |
Democratic | John K. Tarbox | 1 | 0.42% | |
Total votes | 237 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | George S. Boutwell | 124 | 52.10% | |
Republican | Henry L. Dawes | 92 | 38.66% | |
Republican | George B. Loring | 10 | 4.20% | |
Republican | William Whiting | 6 | 2.52% | |
Republican | William E. Sanford | 2 | 0.84% | |
Democratic | John K. Tarbox | 2 | 0.84% | |
Republican | Nathaniel Prentiss Banks | 1 | 0.42% | |
Republican | Ebenezer R. Hoar | 1 | 0.42% | |
Total votes | 238 | 100.00% |
Election in the Senate
On March 11, the Senate convened to begin balloting. Senate President George Loring, who was a candidate for the seat, did not vote. One member was absent.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Henry L. Dawes | 11 | 28.95% | |
Republican | George S. Boutwell | 10 | 26.32% | |
Republican | George B. Loring | 9 | 23.68% | |
Republican | Ebenezer R. Hoar | 4 | 10.53% | |
Republican | William Whiting | 2 | 5.26% | |
Republican | George Frisbie Hoar | 1 | 2.63% | |
Democratic | Charles Gordon Greene | 1 | 2.63% | |
Total votes | 38 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Henry L. Dawes | 12 | 31.58% | |
Republican | George S. Boutwell | 9 | 23.68% | |
Republican | George B. Loring | 9 | 23.68% | |
Republican | Ebenezer R. Hoar | 4 | 10.53% | |
Republican | William Whiting | 2 | 5.26% | |
Republican | George Frisbie Hoar | 1 | 2.63% | |
Democratic | Charles Gordon Greene | 1 | 2.63% | |
Total votes | 38 | 100.00% |
The third and fourth ballots were identical.[1]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Henry L. Dawes | 15 | 39.47% | |
Republican | George S. Boutwell | 10 | 26.32% | |
Republican | George B. Loring | 8 | 21.05% | |
Republican | William Whiting | 2 | 5.26% | |
Republican | Ebenezer R. Hoar | 1 | 2.63% | |
Republican | George Frisbie Hoar | 1 | 2.63% | |
Democratic | Charles Gordon Greene | 1 | 2.63% | |
Total votes | 38 | 100.00% |
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.[1]
Joint ballot
Following Boutwell's victory in the House, it was moved that both Houses would vote as one to ratify the choice.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | George S. Boutwell | 152 | 55.27% | |
Republican | Henry L. Dawes | 115 | 41.82% | |
Republican | George B. Loring | 2 | 0.73% | |
Democratic | John K. Tarbox | 2 | 0.73% | |
Republican | William Whiting | 2 | 0.73% | |
Democratic | Charles Gordon Greene | 2 | 0.73% | |
Total votes | 275 | 100.00% |