After again going over the field, and after canvassing the situation very carefully, it was decided that Ames would not be a candidate to succeed himself as United States Senator, but that he would be a candidate to succeed Senator Alcorn.

This decision, in all probability, would not have been made if Alcorn had been willing to abide by the decision of the convention.

But, since he announced his determination to bolt the nomination of his party for Governor and run as an Independent candidate, it was decided that he had forfeited any claim he otherwise would have had upon the party to succeed himself in the Senate.

Senator Alcorn's term would expire March 4, 1877.

His successor would be elected by the Legislature that would be chosen in November, 1875.