The Feltons

Hook Based on what you have learned about the Bourbon Triumvirate, on what issues that they stood for do you think others might disagree? Let’s talk about it.

The Feltons Who were the Felton’s? –Independent Democrats –William Felton –Rebecca Latimer Felton

The Feltons William Felton –doctor –farmer –Methodist Preacher –public speaker Rebecca Latimer Felton –supported her husband’s political causes –his campaign leader

Rebecca Latimer Felton Leader in the… Suffrage Movement –working to get women the right to vote Temperance Movement –anti-alcohol movement editorialist in the Atlanta Journal

The Feltons used their newspaper The Cartersville Courant to attack the Bourbons wanted to help… –poor –lower middle class –HATED the convict lease system

The Feltons The Convict Lease System –Prisoners were leased (hired out) to people who provided them with housing and food in exchange for labor. –first used prisoners for Public Works

The Feltons: Convict Lease System The Bourbon’s owned companies where the convicts were forced to work. The companies paid the state just a little bit of money for the use of all these prisoners. The prisoners were treated very poorly and often denied basic necessities.

The Feltons: Convict Lease System Georgian’s were hurt by this system because they could not find jobs! The number of poor increased in the state. In 1867 laws were changed and state run farms were built for prisoners. The Felton’s WON!

The Feltons: Political Life 1874 Dr. William Felton was elected to Congress and served until In 1880, he became a member of the Georgia General Assembly.

The Feltons: Political Life Dr. William Felton pushed for improvements in -education -prison reform -limits on alcohol He and his wife planted the roots of what would become the Populist Party.

Summarizing Read the lyrics to “Chain Gang” as you listen to the song. “Chain Gang” Create a list of seven feelings the writer of the song has about chain gangs. Let’s discuss them. A more modern version of “Chain Gang”A more modern version of “Chain Gang”