As between the Senatorship and the Governorship he chose the former, which proved to be a wise decision, in view of subsequent events.

It was soon developed that he was the choice of a large majority of the Republican members of the Legislature, white as well as colored.

His nomination by the party caucus, therefore, was a foregone conclusion.

Before the legislature met, it had been practically settled that Mr.Bruce should be sent to the Senate for the long term and Ex-Superintendant of Education, H.R.
Pease, should be elected to serve out the unexpired term of Governor-elect Ames.
This slate was approved by the joint legislative caucus without a hitch and the candidates thus nominated were duly elected by the Legislature,--not only by the solid Republican vote of that body, but the additional vote of State Senator Hiram Cassidy, Jr., who had been elected as a Democrat.
Senator Alcorn's keen disappointment and chagrin at the outcome of his fight with Governor Ames was manifested when Senator Bruce made his appearance to be sworn in as a Senator.

It was presumed that Senator Alcorn, in accordance with the uniform custom on such occasions, would escort his colleague to the desk of the President of the Senate to be sworn in.