In the early 20th century, federal prosecutors such as Eugene Reese attempted to prosecute responsible parties under federal laws against debt peonage, but such efforts received little support nationally and none in the South, which had disenfranchised most blacks to exclude them from the political system.
In the early 20th century, federal prosecutors such as Eugene Reese attempted to prosecute responsible parties under federal laws against debt peonage. But such efforts received little support nationally and none in the South, which had disenfranchised most blacks to exclude them from the political system.