Council acts when both offices are vacant
Official text rightpowerlimitif conditionlegal term
[Whenever the office of the governor and lieutenant governor shall be vacant, by reason of death, absence, or otherwise, then the council, or the major part of them, shall during such vacancy have full power and authority to do, and execute, all and every such acts, matters and things, as the governor or the lieutenant governor might or could, by virtue of this constitution, do or execute, if they or either of them, were personally present.]
Note (Massachusetts Legislature): [Annulled and superseded by Amendments, Art. LV.]
Simplified explanation
Annulled: This article provided that when the offices of governor and lieutenant governor were both vacant, the council, or most of them, would have full power to do whatever the governor or lieutenant governor could do. A note says it was annulled and superseded by Amendments, Art. LV.