Section 5-1-17 - Organization in absence of the proper officer

Should the secretary of state or lieutenant-governor from any cause fail to appear at the time fixed for organizing the respective houses, it shall be the duty of a judge of the Supreme Court, or, in case of emergency, then of any officer qualified to administer oaths, to perform the duties in and about the organizations of said houses prescribed to be performed by the secretary of state and lieutenant-governor respectively; but if the senate be organized by any other officer than the lieutenant-governor, some senator shall be selected to preside pro tempore before entering upon the election of officers.Codes, 1892, § 2653; 1906, § 3013; Hemingway's 1917, § 5401; 1930, § 5336; 1942, § 3333.