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President Roosevelt holds his big stick and looks at the men he has killed with it: “confidence,” “prosperity,” “good wages,” “capital,” “business,” “industry,” and “labor.” In the background is a bird labeled “hard times.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-28
A man looks at “Doctor Cortelyou” and holds a bag of “$: Dr. Hayseed’s pills” while Uncle Sam lies incapacitated in a bed. Cortelyou says, “I’ve made a careful diagnosis of Uncle’s case, and I think your pills will put him on his feet.” President Roosevelt looks on and says, “I hope Uncle will get no worse.” J. Pierpont Morgan says to John D. Rockefeller, “They are very much alarmed about the condition of Uncle. I’m afraid John, the last dose you gave him didn’t do him any good. They don’t seem to think much of your skill when they called in a country practitioner.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11
George Barnsdale Cox hands his card to the “door boy” at the “headquarters of the political big 4.” Cox says, “In order to cause no consternation in that crowd or have any of them die from palpitation of the heart, just present this card as quitely [sic] as possible to the bunch.” Four men sit at a table: Norman G. Kenan, Charles Phelps Taft, Ohio Representative Nicholas Longworth, and Julius Fleischmann. Longworth holds a letter from President Roosevelt that suggests the “Ohio problem” can be solved by electing Fleischmann as governor of Ohio. Fleischmann says, “My, Nick, but how your father-in-law does flatter me.” Meanwhile, Kenan says, “That letter of Teddy’s is music to my ear. We’ll have a ticket this fall that will win sure, and that’s not gas.” Taft replies, “It certainly has a very fine gingle, Norman. Isn’t it nice to be good.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09
President Roosevelt carves up the “presidential nomination” watermelon with his “self esteem” knife, discharging two slices to the side—”first term” and “second term.” He starts to carve up “third term 1908” as he says to William H. Taft who is standing somewhat hidden in brush, “Hello, Bill!” Behind Taft is his half-brother Charles P. Taft holding his “wife’s money.” William H. Taft says to Charles P. Taft, “Good heavens! Charlie, I thought Teddy didn’t care for that anymore.” Meanwhile, Uncle Sam watches on the other side, “I thought I understand that gap to say he was tired of that fruit.” Caption: Roosevelt—“Bill, I don’t think I will need any help eating this melon.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-22
President Roosevelt stands over a kneeling William H. Taft with his “big stick” in his left hand. Caption: Roosevelt– “Good Heavens! I believe I’ve used this club too freely on Willie.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05
Uncle Sam holds President Roosevelt, dressed like a woman, tightly as William H. Taft sits in a baby carriage holding onto an “Ohio Indorsement” bottle being pulled by Joseph Benson Foraker. An African American man watches in the background. Caption: Uncle Sam– “So, you’re going to leave me.” Roosevelt– “If you coax me real hard, Sammy, I might remain in your employ. I’m only joking about quitting.” Willie Taft– “Mama! Mama! This naughty boy won’t let me have my bottle.” “Dat dar big cuss has no right to dat anyhow.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-05
A “railroad magnate” sits in a tree with a top hat labeled “railroad” stuck to a branch. He says, “For heavens sake Theodore, save me!” as a bear below him labeled “state law” growls, “two cents – mile.” President Roosevelt, armed with a gun labeled “federal law,” marches away from Washington and toward the tree. There is a sign in the foreground that says, “No trespassing on these grounds.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-23