E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Carpet-bag Government.
The government of mere adventurers. In America, a state in the South reorganised by “carpet-baggers,” i.e. Northern political adventurers, who sought a career in the Southern States after the Civil War of 1865. [It may be noted that in America members of Congress and the State legislatures almost invariably reside in the district which they represent.]
