IMPROVED FINANCIAL CONDITION OF MISSISSIPPI UNDER THE AMES ADMINISTRATION The administrations of Governor Alcorn and of Governor Ames, the two Republican Governors, who were products of Reconstruction,--both having been elected chiefly by the votes of colored men,--were among the best with which that State was ever blessed, the generally accepted impression to the contrary notwithstanding.

In 1869 Alcorn was elected to serve for a term of four years.

Ames was elected to serve the succeeding term.

Alcorn was one of the old citizens of the State, and was therefore thoroughly identified with its business, industrial, and social interests.

He had been one of the large and wealthy landowners and slave-owners, and therefore belonged to that small but select and influential class known as Southern aristocrats.
Alcorn had taken an active and prominent part in public matters since his early manhood.