Anti-Monopoly Party
Encyclopedia
The Anti-Monopoly Party was a short-lived U.S. political party
that was founded as a national political party in 1884 at its convention in Chicago
, which took place on May 14, 1884. Prior to this convention, however, there were Anti-Monopoly Parties operating at the state level, notably in California
and New York
. The party's platforms were similar to those of other parties identified as progressive
, as the party advocated such measures as direct election of senators
, a graduated income tax, legal rights for labor unions, and antitrust
legislation, among others.
Former U.S. army general and Massachusetts
governor Benjamin F. Butler
was nominated to run as the party's candidate for President in the 1884 election, and he was similarly nominated by the Greenback Party
. Both parties nominated Absolom M. West
of Mississippi
for Vice President. Butler received 175,370 votes in the election, although the Anti-Monopoly Party did not exist for long after the election. The People's Party
's Omaha Platform
contained many planks of the Anti-Monopoly platform. Subsequently the Progressive movement saw the enactment of many political reform
measures first championed by the Anti-Monopolists and Greenbackers.
and one member to the U.S. Senate
:
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
that was founded as a national political party in 1884 at its convention in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, which took place on May 14, 1884. Prior to this convention, however, there were Anti-Monopoly Parties operating at the state level, notably in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The party's platforms were similar to those of other parties identified as progressive
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
, as the party advocated such measures as direct election of senators
Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution established direct election of United States Senators by popular vote. The amendment supersedes Article I, § 3, Clauses 1 and 2 of the Constitution, under which senators were elected by state legislatures...
, a graduated income tax, legal rights for labor unions, and antitrust
Antitrust
The United States antitrust law is a body of laws that prohibits anti-competitive behavior and unfair business practices. Antitrust laws are intended to encourage competition in the marketplace. These competition laws make illegal certain practices deemed to hurt businesses or consumers or both,...
legislation, among others.
Former U.S. army general and Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
governor Benjamin F. Butler
Benjamin Franklin Butler (politician)
Benjamin Franklin Butler was an American lawyer and politician who represented Massachusetts in the United States House of Representatives and later served as the 33rd Governor of Massachusetts....
was nominated to run as the party's candidate for President in the 1884 election, and he was similarly nominated by the Greenback Party
United States Greenback Party
The Greenback Party was an American political party with an anti-monopoly ideology that was active between 1874 and 1884. Its name referred to paper money, or "greenbacks," that had been issued during the American Civil War and afterward...
. Both parties nominated Absolom M. West
Absolom M. West
Absolom Madden West was a Southern United States politician, soldier, railroad president and labor organizer.-Biography:...
of Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
for Vice President. Butler received 175,370 votes in the election, although the Anti-Monopoly Party did not exist for long after the election. The People's Party
Populist Party (United States)
The People's Party, also known as the "Populists", was a short-lived political party in the United States established in 1891. It was most important in 1892-96, then rapidly faded away...
's Omaha Platform
Omaha Platform
The Omaha Platform was the party program adopted at the formative convention of the Populist Party held in Omaha, Nebraska on July 4 1892.-Significance of the Omaha Platform:The platform preamble was written by Ignatius L. Donnelly...
contained many planks of the Anti-Monopoly platform. Subsequently the Progressive movement saw the enactment of many political reform
Reform movement
A reform movement is a kind of social movement that aims to make gradual change, or change in certain aspects of society, rather than rapid or fundamental changes...
measures first championed by the Anti-Monopolists and Greenbackers.
Elected officials
One Anti-Monopoly party member was elected to the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and one member to the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
:
- Newton BoothNewton BoothNewton Booth was an American politician.Born in Salem, Indiana, he attended the common schools. In 1841, his parents Beebe and Hannah Booth moved from Salem to Terre Haute, Indiana. Newton graduated from Asbury University, later renamed DePauw University, in nearby Greencastle, Indiana. He studied...
, senator from CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Served in the 44th44th United States CongressThe Forty-fourth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1875 to March 4, 1877, during the seventh and...
, 45th45th United States Congress-House of Representatives:-Leadership:-Senate:*President: William A. Wheeler *President pro tempore: Thomas W. Ferry -House of Representatives:*Speaker: Samuel J. Randall -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state...
, and 46th United States Congress46th United States CongressThe Forty-sixth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1879 to March 4, 1881, during the last two years of...
, from 1875 to 1881. - Benjamin F. ShivelyBenjamin F. ShivelyBenjamin Franklin Shively was a United States Representative and Senator from Indiana. Born near Osceola, Indiana, attended the common schools and the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. He taught school from 1874 to 1880, engaged in journalism from 1880 to 1884, and was secretary of the...
, representative from Indiana's 13th congressional districtIndiana's 13th congressional districtIndiana's 13th congressional district was a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in Indiana. It was eliminated as a result of the 1930 Census. It was last represented by Samuel B. Pettengill who was redistricted into the 3rd District.-List of representatives:-...
. Served in the 48th United States Congress48th United States CongressThe Forty-eighth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1883 to March 4, 1885, during the last two years...
from March 4, 1883 to March 3, 1885.