Article XVII of the amendments of the constitution, as amended, is hereby further amended by striking out, in the third sentence, the words “two persons who had the highest number of votes for said offices on the day in November aforesaid” and inserting in place thereof the words: – people at large, – so that said sentence will read as follows: – In case of a failure to elect either of said officers on the day in November aforesaid, or in case of the decease, in the meantime, of the person elected as such, such officer shall be chosen on or before the third Wednesday in January next thereafter, from the people at large, by joint ballot of the senators and representatives, in one room; and in case the office of secretary, or treasurer and receiver-general, or auditor, or attorney-general, shall become vacant, from any cause, during an annual or special session of the general court, such vacancy shall in like manner be filled by choice from the people at large; but if such vacancy shall occur at any other time, it shall be supplied by the governor by appointment, with the advice and consent of the council.