The governments were generally honest, economical, and cheap.

The leaders, partly because they themselves believed in limiting the function of government and partly because they believed that the voters would oppose any extension, had prevented any constructive legislation.

Events showed that they had misunderstood their people.
When the revolt came, the farmer legislators showed themselves willing to vote money liberally for education and for other purposes which were once considered outside the sphere of government.
South Carolina furnished the most striking example of this revolt.

In that State the families which had governed before the War continued the direction of affairs.

By a rather unusual compromise, the large western population of the State had been balanced against the greater wealth of the east.