Bourbon Democrats represented business interests, supported banking and railroad goals, promoted [[laissez-faire]] capitalism, opposed imperialism and U.S. overseas expansion, fought for the [[gold standard]], and opposed [[bimetallism|silver]]. They strongly supported reform movements such as civil service reform and opposed corruption of city bosses, leading the fight against the [[Tweed Ring]]. Their fight against corruption earned the votes of many Republican [[Mugwump]]s who in 1884 denounced the Republican candidate [[James G. Blaine]] as tainted by multiple scandals. | Bourbon Democrats represented business interests, supported banking and railroad goals, promoted [[laissez-faire]] capitalism, opposed imperialism and U.S. overseas expansion, fought for the [[gold standard]], and opposed [[bimetallism|silver]]. They strongly supported reform movements such as civil service reform and opposed corruption of city bosses, leading the fight against the [[Tweed Ring]]. Their fight against corruption earned the votes of many Republican [[Mugwump]]s who in 1884 denounced the Republican candidate [[James G. Blaine]] as tainted by multiple scandals. |