After the Civil War the Republicans held uninterrupted supremacy in national elections, and almost as complete control in the state government, until 1892. From about 1870 onward, however, elements of reform and of discontent were embodied in a succession of radical parties of protest. Prohibition arose thus, was accepted by the Republicans, and passed into the constitution. Woman suffrage became a vital political issue. Much legislation has been passed to control the railways. General control of the media of commerce, economic co-operation, tax reform, banking reforms, legislation against monopolies, disposal of state lands, legislation in aid of the farmer and labourer, have been issues of one party or another. The movement of the Patrons of Industry (1874), growing into the Grange, Farmers' Alliance, and finally into the People's (Populist) party (see FARMERS' MOVEMENT), was perhaps of greatest importance. In conjunction with the Democrats the Populists controlled the State government in 1892-1894 and 1896-1898. These two parties decidedly outnumbered the Republicans at the polls from 1890-1898, but they could win only by fusion. In 1892-1893, when the Populists elected the governor and the Senate, and the Republicans (as the courts eventually determined) the House of Representatives, political passion was so high as to threaten armed conflicts in the capital. The Australian ballot was introduced in 1893. In the decade following 1880, struggles in the western counties for the location of county seats (the bitterest local political fights known in western states) repeatedly led to bloodshed and the interference of state militia. TERRITORIAL GOVERNORS[5] Andrew H. Reeder July 7, 1854-Aug. 16, '55 Wilson Shannon Sept. 7, 1855-Aug. 18, '56 John W. Geary Sept. 9, 1856-Mar. 12, '57 Robert J. Walker May 27, 1857-Nov. 16, '57 James W. Denver May 12, 1858-Oct. 10, '58 Samuel Medary Dec. 18, 1858-Dec. 17, '60 _Acting Governors_[6] Aggregate Daniel Woodson 5 times (164 days) Apr. 17, 1855-Apr. 16, '57 Frederick P. Stanton 2 " ( 78 " ) Apr. 16, 1857-Dec. 21, '57 James W. Denver 1 " ( 23 " ) Dec. 21, 1857-May 12, '58 Hugh S. Walsh 4(5?) " (177 " ) July 3, 1858-June 16, '60 George M. Beebe 2 " (131 " ) Sept. 11, 1860-Feb. 9, '61 STATE GOVERNORS