It was not only a difficult matter for them to adjust themselves to the new order of things and to the radically changed conditions, but no longer having slaves upon whom they could depend for everything, to raise the necessary money to prevent the decay, the dissipation and the ultimate loss or destruction of their large landed estates was the serious and difficult problem they had before them.

To have the rate of taxation increased upon this property, especially at that particular time, was to them a very serious matter,--a matter which could not have any other effect than to intensify their bitterness and hostility towards the party in control of the State Government.

But since Governor Alcorn, under whose administration, and in accordance with whose recommendation this increase had been made, was a typical representative of this particular class, it was believed and hoped that he would have sufficient influence with the people of his own class to stem the tide of resentment, and to calm their fears and apprehensions.

That the Republicans retained control of the Legislature as a result of the elections of 1871,--though by only a small majority in the lower house,--is conclusive evidence that the Governor's efforts in that direction were not wholly in vain.

The argument made by the taxpayers, however, was plausible and it may be conceded that, upon the whole, they were about right; for no doubt it would have been much easier upon the taxpayers to have increased at that time the interest-bearing debt of the State than to have increased the tax rate.