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.
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Readjuster Party refinanced the Commonwealth's debts and invested in schools, especially for African Americans.
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The Readjuster Party abolished the poll tax and the public whipping post.
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Readjuster Party promised to "readjust" the state debt, repeal the poll tax which had suppressed voting by blacks and poor whites, and increase funding for schools and other public facilities.
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Mahone became the Readjuster Party's driving force, as it held a convention in February 1879, and elected a majority of the Virginia General Assembly by year's end.
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Readjuster Party formed a coalition of Democrats and Republicans, with both white and black supporters.
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Readjuster Party sought reduction in Virginia's pre-war debt, with an appropriate allocation to be borne by West Virginia.
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The Readjuster Party elected its candidate, William E Cameron as governor, defeating John W Daniel as the Conservative Party's candidate.
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Readjuster Party caused more equal enforcement of the tax laws, which provided some relief to small businesses and farmers.
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The collapse of the Readjuster party was precipitated in part by its appointment of two freedmen to the Richmond school board.
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