Boggs offers an assessment of the evolving role of a loosely-defined "southern delegation" in Congress from approximately 1950 to the mid-1970s. According to Boggs, the "seniority system" had kept many southern politicians in positions of power within Congress. During the time period under consideration, however, Boggs explains that many of these politicians were leaving Congress because of old age and because of changing voting patterns, which opened up congressional committees and chairman positions. Despite reforms to the seniority system, Boggs believes that southern politicians continued to play a pivotal role in congressional processes.