Mahony, Felix, 1867-1939

President Roosevelt shakes a stork’s hand and says, “De-lighted! You’re a grand old bird!” He holds a paper in his hand that reads, “Births in 1906 in greater New York 111.772 an increase over 1905 of 8.000.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

The motif of cartoonist Felix Mahoney’s drawing in the Washington Star is one of Theodore Roosevelt’s peripheral crusades, but one of fierce advocacy, “race suicide.” He believed that hardy races in world history advanced in numbers and territory, as well as cultural achievements; and he was alarmed at falling birth rates among European and American populations.

President Roosevelt stands next to a big stick and a suitcase with a “Panama” tag. He looks at Secretary of War William H. Taft who sits on a “25th Inf. ‘Discharged Without Honor'” container. Taft says, “Oh! I was only off a few minutes.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-24

Several senators—West Virginia Senator Nathan Bay Scott, Iowa Senator Jonathan P. Dolliver, Michigan Senator Julius C. Burrows, Pennsylvania Senator Boies Penrose, and Montana Senator Thomas Henry Carter—all white wash Benjamin F. Barnes. President Roosevelt holds the “big stick” and says, “Thicken your white wash and get to work, you clumsy Senate fellows” while South Carolina Senator Benjamin R. Tillman looks on and says, “Shame on you ind your ‘master.'”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-29

In the first section, a “citizen” sits in a rocking chair and reads the “Evening Star.” Caption: If you were a citizen of the district—. In the second, the “citizen” pays taxes at the “tax office. Caption: And couldn’t vote but paid your taxes— In the third, the “citizen” listens to President Roosevelt talk about the Square Deal. Caption: And had heard of the “Square Deal.” In the fourth section, Roosevelt hands the “citizen” a paper that reads, “Postmaster of D.C.—A district man acceptable to Washington.” Caption: And expected something like this— In the fifth, Roosevelt hands “Barnes of N.J. White House Ejector” a “postmaster D.C.” scroll with the “citizen” crushed underneath. Caption: And got this——. In the sixth section, the “citizen” sees stars. Caption: Wouldn’t it jar you?

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-07

In the first vignette, President Roosevelt hugs Benjamin F. Barnes. Caption: If the president was your friend— In the second, Roosevelt thinks about a woman being thrown out of the White House as he looks at Barnes. Caption: —And he grinned when you committed assault and battery. In the third, Roosevelt hands Barnes a “postmaster of D.C.” paper. Caption: —And rewarded you with a fair job. In the fourth, Barnes thinks about congratulations from “Congress,” “Nova Scotia,” and “Washington.” Caption: —And you expected something like this. In the fifth vignette, Barnes is punched in the nose by “public disapproval.” Caption: And got this— In the sixth vignette, Barnes says, “Oh!” Caption: Wouldn’t it jar you?

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-04

In the first vignette, Benjamin F. Barnes sits in a “Nova Scotia” cradle. Caption: If you were born in Nova Scotia— In second vignette, Barnes types on a typewriter. Caption: And you clerked in the district— In the third, a woman is thrown out of the “White House.” Caption: And you threw a woman out of your office— In the fourth vignette, the “president” kicks Barnes out of the White House. Caption: And instead of getting this— In the fifth, President Roosevelt hands Barnes a “postmaster D.C.” paper. Caption: You got this! In the sixth, Barnes says, “Oh joy!” Caption: Wouldn’t it jar you?

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-03

There are nine “the going to keepmums,” which have the faces of all of the cabinet officers, on one shelf: Secretary of State Elihu Root, Secretary of War William H. Taft, Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte, Attorney General William H. Moody, Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw, Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou, Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor H. Metcalf, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, and Secretary of the Interior Ethan A. Hitchcock. On an upper shelf are five “keep’mums”: “Keep,” “Pinchot,” “Hitchcock,” “Murray,” and “Garfield.” Caption: A few ‘mums not mentioned at the show.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-11

Secretary of State Elihu Root, Secretary of War William H. Taft, Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte, Attorney General William H. Moody, Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw, Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou, Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor H. Metcalf, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, and Secretary of the Interior Ethan A. Hitchcock all march out of the “White House” and to the “keeper of the gags.” There is a large sign that reads, “Notice! By order of the President the members of the cabinet will resume their muzzles on leaving the White House.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-23

All of the cabinet officers stand in a circle, have gags in their mouths, and point at one another: Secretary of State Elihu Root, Secretary of War William H. Taft, Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte, Attorney General William H. Moody, Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw, Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou, Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor H. Metcalf, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, and Secretary of the Interior Ethan A. Hitchcock.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-04

Cabinet officers march out of the “White House” with each one holding an axe: Secretary of State Elihu Root, Secretary of War William H. Taft, Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte, Attorney General William H. Moody, Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw, Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou, Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor H. Metcalf, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, and Secretary of the Interior Ethan A. Hitchcock. A bald eagle looks on and says, “Gee whiz!” Caption: Shade of George Washington!

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-18

“The Press” looks a number of cabinet officers who have gags in their mouths: Secretary of State Elihu Root, Secretary of War William H. Taft, Secretary of the Navy Charles J. Bonaparte, Attorney General William H. Moody, Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw, Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou, Secretary of Commerce and Labor Victor H. Metcalf, and Secretary of the Interior Ethan A. Hitchcock. The “White House” is in the background. Caption: “Think twice before you speak, then talk to yourself.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-19

President Roosevelt holds a “football reforms” ball as he looks toward a “college coach.” A “goal” is in the background as Uncle Sam watches and says, “Rah! Rah! Rah!” President Roosevelt: “Now for a good, clean game.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-10

A “U.S. Secret Service” man runs after President Roosevelt, who follows a sign that reads, “To Chain Bridge 13 miles.” A man on the other side of the river sits in a hammock beside a temperature gauge that reads 95 degrees.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-19

President Roosevelt stands in line with several other people at a railroad station “ticket office.” A sign reads, “next train leaves 10.13 for the West.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-18

President Roosevelt holds strings attached to four bears and holds a “Wash. D.C.” suitcase as he marches toward a “labor” man. The “labor” man is leaning up against a book entitled “the law” and holds a “protest against federal interference” paper. Caption: The President: “Uphold law and order and there’ll be no need of federal troops.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-11

A “White House” log cabin nestled in the woods has smoke coming out of it. There is a “wire to Washington via Fort Worth” just outside of the house as well as a sign that reads, “The new White House.” Several animals surround the house, including a stork. Caption: The stork: “At last the West has the White House—for a little while.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-04-10

President Roosevelt holds his gun and walks away from the White House toward “Texas.” A stork and an eagle wish him off, saying, “Have a good time.” 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-04-03

President Roosevelt and William Jennings Bryan sit on a gridiron held by a “Gridiron Club” hand over “wit” and “humor” flames.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-01-30

President Roosevelt watches a Republican elephant chase a “democracy” bird from the front of the “White House.” Caption: The Only Bird of National Repute Chased Recently From the White House Grounds.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-30

A disgruntled Senate is pictured holding several bills as a smiling President Roosevelt hands him an extra session proclamation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-03