Franklin Moses attended South Carolina College before being admitted to the bar in South Carolina. He served as a private secretary to the governor and held a military commission during the Civil War. Moses was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives and later became the 75th governor of South Carolina. He advocated for civil rights and social programs, including integrating the University of South Carolina and supporting old-age pensions. However, his tenure was marked by accusations of corruption and extravagant spending, leading to legal troubles and impeachment proceedings.

Franklin Moses's political identity is marked by a blend of progressive civil rights advocacy and fiscally unorthodox governance. He championed the integration of the University of South Carolina and organized a militia to safeguard black voters, yet his tenure as governor was marred by extravagant spending and accusations of corruption. This juxtaposition of progressive social goals with fiscal recklessness reveals a complex and calculated approach to governance.