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.
[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.
[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.