1873 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts

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.

1873 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts

March 11 and 12, 1873
Majority vote of the Massachusetts Legislature needed to win
Nominee George S. Boutwell Henry L. Dawes Party Republican Republican Percentage 55.27% 41.82% Votes 152 115
Senator before election Henry Wilson Republican Elected Senator George S. Boutwell Republican

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 seats[1][2] and 211 of 240 state House seats.[1][3]

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 ballot[4]

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%

Second House ballot[4]

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%

Senate President George Loring, who was a candidate for the seat, did not vote. One member was absent.

First Senate ballot[4]

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%

Second Senate ballot[4]

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.[4]

Third and fourth Senate ballot[4]

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%

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.[4] On the next day, it was moved that both Houses would vote as one to ratify the choice.

Joint ballot[5]

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%

References

1. Cornelius Dalton; John Wirkkala; Anne Thomas (1984). "Political Complexion of the General Court 1867-1980". Leading the Way: a History of the Massachusetts General Court, 1629-1980. Boston: Massachusetts Secretary of State. p. 441+. ISBN 0961391502.
2. "Composition of the Massachusetts State Senate", Resources on Massachusetts Political Figures in the State Library, Mass.gov, archived from the original on June 6, 2020
3. "Composition of the State of Massachusetts House of Representatives", Resources on Massachusetts Political Figures in the State Library, Mass.gov, archived from the original on June 6, 2020
4. "Henry Wilson's Successor: Secretary Boutwell's Chances". The New York Times. 12 Mar 1873. p. 4.
5. "Election of Ex-Secretary Boutwell as United States Senator". The New York Times. 13 Mar 1873. p. 1.