A new code of laws also had to be adopted to take the place of the old code and thus wipe out the black laws that had been passed by what was known as the Johnson Legislature and in addition bring about other changes so as to make the laws and statutes of the State conform with the new order of things.

This was no easy task, in view of the fact that a heavy increase in the rate of taxation was thus made necessary, for the time being at least.

That this important work was splendidly, creditably, and economically done no fair-minded person who is familiar with the facts will question or dispute.
That the State never had before, and has never had since, a finer Judiciary than that which was organized under the administration of Governor Alcorn and which continued under the administration of Governor Ames is an indisputable and incontrovertible fact.

The Judges of the Supreme Court were E.G.Peyton, H.F.Simrall and J.Tarbell, who in Mississippi had no superiors in their profession, and who had the respect and confidence of the bar and of the people without regard to race or politics.

Judge Peyton was the Chief Justice, Simrall and Tarbell being the Associate Justices.