Vacancies occurring for any reason before the expiration of a term shall be filled by appointment by the corporate authorities for the unexpired term.
(Ga. L. 1894, p. 41, § 2; Civil Code 1895, § 1652; Civil Code 1910, § 1898; Ga. L. 1914, p. 57, § 1; Code 1933, § 80-102; Ga. L. 1945, p. 279, § 2.)