Due to the suppression of black votes, southern political machines were very effective at getting members of congress in office for extended periods; it also le

Due to the suppression of black votes, southern political machines were very effective at getting members of congress in office for extended periods; it also let them punch above their weight due to seniority. They were democrats for historical purposes until Johnson started advancing civil rights. Then they flipped to the new “conservative” branch of the GOP.