Page 10 - Montana Freemason Feb 13

Montana Freemason February 2013 Volume 86 Number 1

Montana Governors Who Were Freemasons

Reid Gardiner (3)

The Governor of Montana has the duty to see subject to a legislative override. The Governor may
that the Montana Constitution and the laws of also recommend amendments to bills; Convening
the state are faithfully executed. The governor has the special sessions of the legislature; Granting pardons
power to appoint and supervise the directors of each and reprieves, remitting fines and forfeitures, and
executive department. Additionally, the governor, restoring citizenship; Requiring reports from any
as mandated by the state constitution, will give executive office and appointing committees to
information to the state legislature and recommend investigate the same.
measures considered necessary and suitable. This
includes submitting a budget recommendation EighteenoftheourGovernor’shavebeenFreemasons
detailing expenditures and revenue. The governor and twenty-two of our Lieutenant Governors have
has the responsibility to carry out the duties of been members of the Craft. Perhaps it is once again
commander-in-chief of the militia forces of the state. time for a member of the fraternity to step forward to

these positions of leadership for our State.
Other duties and privileges of the office include:
Delegating powers to the Lieutenant Governor,
excepting those that are Constitutionally vested in
the Governor; Filling vacancies in all other Executive
offices; Making all appointments not otherwise
provided for by law, filling vacancies with the consent
of the Senate, and making recess appointments;
Vetoing bills, “except bills proposing amendments
to the Montana constitution, bills ratifying proposed
amendments to the United States constitution,
resolutions, and initiative and referendum measures,”

Territorial Governors of the State who were Freemasons

Territorial Governors Dates Appointed by
*Sidney Edgerton (R) June 22, 1864- July 12, 1865 Abraham Lincoln
Thomas F Meagher (D) Sept 1865- Oct 3, 1866 Abraham Lincoln
*Green Clay Smith (D) July 13, 1866- Jan 1867 Andrew Johnson
Thomas F Meagher (D) Dec 1866- July 1, 1867 Andrew Johnson
*Green Clay Smith (D) July 2, 1867- April 9, 1869 Andrew Johnson
James Tufts (acting) (R) March 1869- April 9, 1869 Andrew Johnson
James M Ashley (R) April 9, 1869- July 12, 1870 U.S. Grant
Wiley Scribner (acting) Dec 1870 – Aug 1870 U.S. Grant
*Benjamin F. Potts (R) July 13, 1870 – Jan 14, 1863 U.S. Grant
John Schuyler Crosby (R) Jan 15, 1883 – Dec 15, 1864 Chester A. Arthur
B. Platt Carpenter (R) Dec 16- 1884 – July 13, 1885 Chester A. Arthur
*Samuel T. Hauser (D) July 14, 1885 – Feb 7, 1887 Grover Cleveland
Preston H. Leslie (D) Feb 8, 1887 – April 8, 1889 Grover Cleveland
Benjamin F White (R) April 9, 1889 – Nov 8, 1889 Benjamin Harrison
* Freemason

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