New South Political Leaders

Name:

New South Politics (SS8H7a)

Political Group / Platform/Beliefs / Leaders
Bourbon Triumvirate
(Bourbon Redeemers) / 3 most powerful political leaders of the late 1800s in GA
Wanted lower taxes, expanded industry, and limited state government
Believed in white supremacy / Joseph Brown, Alfred Colquitt, and John B. Gordon
Henry W. Grady
Independent Democrats / Spoke up for farmers, the poor and working class b/c they believed these groups were being neglected by the policies of the BT / William and Rebecca Felton
Farmers’ Alliance / Wanted better schools, better roads, and changes in state tax laws
Wanted railroad companies to post their rates and charge the same rates for all shippers / Tom Watson
Populists / Political equality between white and black farmers / Tom Watson
Progressive Democrats / Wanted one-party-politics for GA
Against social equality for blacks and whites
Wanted to legislate moral behavior, improve education, and help people in need / Hoke Smith

Leader / Contributions During Era / Legacy/Interesting Facts
Joseph E. Brown / Served in all 3 branches of government
Governor during Civil War
Served in U.S. Senate / Made money leasing convicts during
convict lease system
John B. Gordon / As governor, reduced the state’s debt and brought new industry to the state
Served in U.S. Senate / Supposed leader in the KKK
Gordon County named after him
Wrote the book Reminiscences
Alfred H. Colquitt / As governor, rewrote the state constitution and reduced state’s debt
Served in the U.S. Senate
His time as governor had a lot of scandals, but he was never found guilty of any corruption / Served in the Mexican War
Colquitt County named after his father
Henry W. Grady / Writer/Editor of Atlanta Constitution
Came up with the phrase “The New South”
Wanted GA and the south to industrialize and not be totally dependent on farming / Grady County is named after him
Grady Hospital (ATL) and Grady
College of Journalism (UGA) named in
his honor
Died at 38 of pneumonia
Tom Watson / Got Rural Free Delivery (RFD) bill passed through Congress – people in the country could get their mail delivered rather than have to go to town to pick up mail / Still get mail in the mailbox at the house
Rebecca L. Felton / Started Independent Democrats with her husband, William
Ran the Cartersville Courant newspaper
Wrote columns about women’s suffrage (right to vote), temperance (no alcohol) and education for women / 1st woman to serve in the US Senate – 10 day term before appointed senator took the seat in DC