Readjuster Party
- See also: Byrd Organization
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The Readjuster Party was a bi-racial state-level political party formed in Virginia across party lines in the late 1870s during the turbulent period following the Reconstruction era that sought to reduce outstanding debt owed by the state. It formed in the wake of the Virginia Debt Controversy. The Controversy essentially was over the matter of repaying debts Virginia accrued via infrastructure spending prior to the Civil War.[1] The Readjusters worried that in an effort to repay the debt and interest as quickly as possible, the (wealthier, white) conservative representatives would slash state programs such as public schools.[2] The Readjusters wanted to repudiate the state debt, abolish the poll tax, extensively invest in public education-- doubling the number of schools, teachers, and students-- and create Virginia State University to serve African-American students.[2]
After the Readjuster Party disappeared, the Republican Party ceased to be competitive in the state. Virginia's Democratic Party dominated, and embedded Jim Crow laws in the Virginia Constitution of 1901/2.
The Readjuster Party was a biracial coalition that frequently caucused with the Republicans.[3]
After their sweeping success between 1880 and 1882, the conservative party began campaigning on racist policies and rhetoric, seeing race as the only thing that could supersede the desire for widespread social programs and overcoming class issues on the ballot.[2]
Notable Local Members
On October 11, 1877, the Readjuster Party held a convention at Charlottesville with purpose of selecting a new nominee for Lieutenant Governor. [4]
James T. S. Taylor became a Readjuster when the party was formed.[5] He was chosen to represent Albemarle at the constitutional convention as a Republican, despite the opposition by his father, Fairfax Taylor. He was the first Black men to represent the area on the state level. At the Convention, he sat on the Committees on the Basis of Representation and Apportionment and on Prisons and the Prevention and Punishment of Crime.[5]\
References
- ↑ Web. The Virginia Debt Controversy, Tarter, Brent, Web Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Virginia; Virginia Humanities, December 14, 2020, retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Web. Readjuster Party, The, Tarter, Brent, Website, Encyclopedia Virginia: Virginia Humanities, December 14, 2020, retrieved July 8, 2021.
- ↑ Web. Virginia Readjuster Party sweeps to victory in 1879 elections, History Engine, Website, University of Richmond, 2019, retrieved July 8, 2021.
- ↑ Web. [1], The New Orleans daily Democrat., October 09, 1877,, retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Web. James T. S. Taylor, Christopher Taylor, Web Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Virginia: Virginia Humanities, February 12, 2020, retrieved July 8, 2021.