The1873 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts was held in March 1873 to fill the vacancy left by SenatorHenry 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 theMassachusetts 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.
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.
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.
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.
^abCornelius 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+.ISBN0961391502.
