These women fit best with the humanitarian wing of the progressive movement, but the progressive movement was undeveloped and practically non-existant in Alabama at that point (Sheldon Hackney points out that only 37 out of 155 delegates to the 1901 Constitutional Convention were progressives). These women were on their lonesome. **I should look at Elna Green again to see how my women work into her framework.** With the populist rebellion of the 1890s behind them, any radical movement in Alabama was unwelcome, even more unwelcome than the populists. The Black Belt Democrats wanted to control who could vote and limit the influence of "white"/northern counties. They wanted lower taxes, less regulations, and other than their interest with the railroad, pretty much wanted the government to leave them the hell alone. The suffragists goals would have required higher taxes, more government regulations, and more oversight, which would have jeopardizes the Black Belt county leaders who had frequently been involved with illegal elections and voter fraud.
Additional Reading: Sam Webb's book should be my next priority.
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