During the recess, supplies were sent out to the rural homes of the members.
The endorsement of railroad securities by the state also furnished a source of easy money to the dishonest official and the crooked speculator.

After the Civil War, in response to the general desire in the South for better railroad facilities, the "Johnson" governments began to underwrite railroad bonds.

When the carpetbag and Negro governments came in, the policy was continued but without proper safeguards.

Bonds were sometimes endorsed before the roads were constructed, and even excess issues were authorized.

Bonds were endorsed for some roads of which not a mile was ever built.