This article is about the defunct Illinois political party. For the Canadian party sometimes known by this name, see Reform Party of Ontario. For the United States movement sometimes called the "Independent/Reform Party", see United States Reform Party.
The Independent Reform Party, sometimes also known as the Anti-Monopoly Party,[1] was a short-lived political party in Illinois, in the United States. Arising out of the disorder created by the fracturing of the Republican Party in 1872, when the Liberal Republican Party had been created, it was organized on June 10, 1874, in a convention at Springfield.[2] It fielded candidates in that year's elections but disappeared thereafter.
The platform of the Independent Reform Party called for budget cuts, the repeal of the National Bank Act, and the institution of an inflationary currency policy based on the greenback. It criticized the corruption of the existing parties, focusing on corrupt ties between government and the railroad industry: the party demanded an end to railroad land grants and the giving of free railroad passes to elected officials, and strict enforcement of the existing railroad laws.[2] This platform was also endorsed by the state convention of the Liberal Republican Party under former Illinois governor John M. Palmer,[2] with the exception of the currency plank.[3]
At the convention, Richard Rowett had argued forcefully for the party platform to support the gold standard, but he was defeated by advocates of inflation.[2][4] A provision that would have insisted on the full payment of the national debt was also defeated.[4]
Several Independent Reform Party representatives were elected to the 29th Illinois General Assembly in 1874.[5] There they joined other reform parties and independents in caucusing with the Democrats, giving that party a majority in both chambers and control of the leadership.[6] However, the tensions between Democrats and reformers made the 29th General Assembly unusually turbulent.[6]
At the statewide level, the Independent Reform Party nominated David Gore for Treasurer and Samuel Etter for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Etter was also nominated by the Democrats, and thus was elected by a narrow 30,000-vote margin, while Gore was defeated by 35,000 votes.[1][7]
McPherson, Edward (1876). A Hand-Book of Politics for 1876. Philp & Solomons. p. 255.
Moses, John (1892). Illinois, historical and statistical.
Illinois Blue Book. 1908.
Prominent Democrats of Illinois. 1899.
Illinois Legislative Manual–1875. 1875.
January 01, 1970
independent, reform, party, this, article, about, defunct, illinois, political, party, canadian, party, sometimes, known, this, name, reform, party, ontario, united, states, movement, sometimes, called, independent, reform, party, united, states, reform, party. This article is about the defunct Illinois political party For the Canadian party sometimes known by this name see Reform Party of Ontario For the United States movement sometimes called the Independent Reform Party see United States Reform Party The Independent Reform Party sometimes also known as the Anti Monopoly Party 1 was a short lived political party in Illinois in the United States Arising out of the disorder created by the fracturing of the Republican Party in 1872 when the Liberal Republican Party had been created it was organized on June 10 1874 in a convention at Springfield 2 It fielded candidates in that year s elections but disappeared thereafter The platform of the Independent Reform Party called for budget cuts the repeal of the National Bank Act and the institution of an inflationary currency policy based on the greenback It criticized the corruption of the existing parties focusing on corrupt ties between government and the railroad industry the party demanded an end to railroad land grants and the giving of free railroad passes to elected officials and strict enforcement of the existing railroad laws 2 This platform was also endorsed by the state convention of the Liberal Republican Party under former Illinois governor John M Palmer 2 with the exception of the currency plank 3 At the convention Richard Rowett had argued forcefully for the party platform to support the gold standard but he was defeated by advocates of inflation 2 4 A provision that would have insisted on the full payment of the national debt was also defeated 4 Several Independent Reform Party representatives were elected to the 29th Illinois General Assembly in 1874 5 There they joined other reform parties and independents in caucusing with the Democrats giving that party a majority in both chambers and control of the leadership 6 However the tensions between Democrats and reformers made the 29th General Assembly unusually turbulent 6 At the statewide level the Independent Reform Party nominated David Gore for Treasurer and Samuel Etter for Superintendent of Public Instruction Etter was also nominated by the Democrats and thus was elected by a narrow 30 000 vote margin while Gore was defeated by 35 000 votes 1 7 See also editOpposition Party United States Greenback PartyReferences edit a b Prominent Democrats 1899 p 58 a b c d 1908 Blue Book p 546 Moses 1892 p 827 a b Moses 1892 p 825 1875 Blue Book pp 82 88 a b Moses 1892 p 829 McPherson 1876 p 255 Works cited editMcPherson Edward 1876 A Hand Book of Politics for 1876 Philp amp Solomons p 255 Moses John 1892 Illinois historical and statistical Illinois Blue Book 1908 Prominent Democrats of Illinois 1899 Illinois Legislative Manual 1875 1875 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Independent Reform Party amp oldid 1017867212, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
