Readjuster Party
The Readjuster Party is known for being the shortest-lived and most radical reforming political party in Virginia’s history. 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]
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
James T. S. Taylor became a Readjuster when the party was formed.[4]
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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