[1][2] In 1912, he successfully passed a bill prohibiting secret and exclusive societies at the public institutions of higher learning.

Russell also filed an antitrust suit against several fire insurance companies for their business practices.

As noted by one historian, “Although Governor Russell was not as successful as previous governors in getting many of his major proposals enacted, the legislature's appropriations for educational and welfare purposes during his tenure set new records.” Higher state funding was provided for a TB sanitarium, an institution to house and treat mentally ill persons, charity hospitals (which included the approval of 3 new ones), and public schools and colleges.

Constitutional amendments also provided for pensions for Confederate veterans or their widows, authorized a $2 poll tax on both men and women for education purposes, and a school year of at least 4 months.

There he sold real estate for a period before returning to Jackson to practice law until his death on May 16, 1943.