Thorndike, Willis H. (Willis Hale), 1872-1940

President Roosevelt stands on top of the “third term talk” giant with his big stick. Caption: The modern giant killer.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Cartoonists were used to drawing President Roosevelt as a David against the Goliaths of Big Business or the Trusts, or other foreign and domestic situations. But in this cartoon by Willis H. Thorndike, who also drew for the Philadelphia Press, “third-term talk” was the behemoth Roosevelt felled. In a letter released to the public on the day this cartoon quickly was produced, the president successfully squelched all talk — any possibilities, any ambiguity — that he would seek re-nomination in 1908.

As Uncle Sam stands beside him with a grin, President Roosevelt looks at “Roosevelt’s Illustrated Message on Panama” and points to himself in the book, saying “That’s me.” Written in small handwriting below is “Shonts Resignation.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

The cartoon by Willis H. Thorndike in the Baltimore American, then a Republican paper, appeared on the day that Theodore P. Shonts resigned as head of the Panama Canal Commission. President Roosevelt’s expression and his attitude might be perceived as the artist’s hostile conception of the situation, but in fact it was an endorsement of Roosevelt’s management.

In the upper righthand corner, three beef trust men stand under an “immune” sign and hold a paper that reads, “Judge Humphreys—you can go scott free.” In the main cartoon, President Roosevelt has a “report on packing houses” on his desk as three “beef trust” men grovel at his desk. A “square deal publicity” big stick leans against the desk. Caption: (The packers who smiled over Judge Humphreys’ ruling in March now have something else to think about.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-29

A “beef trust” pumps “rotten ram” air into a “packers meat inspection bill” hot air balloon. New York Representative James Wolcott Wadsworth sits in an “immunity bath” basket. President Roosevelt looks on. Caption: Resident of the White House: “I tell you your flying machine can’t get through. . .”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-16

Uncle Sam and President Roosevelt stand at a “law” fence and watch a “Standard Oil monopoly” pig eat from a “rebates” trough, thanks to Roosevelt “Garfield report” light. In the trough are several papers: “semi secret rates,” “discrimination R.R. rates,” “private tank cars,” “secret rates,” “secret state rates,” and “unfair interstate rates.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04

President Roosevelt holds “the big stick square deal.” Behind him is a “muck rake,” a “white wash brush” dipped into “everything lovely,” and a “weekly mud slinger” paper. Flies buzz around. A sign on a fence reads, “Read the ‘Weekly Gutter’ fierce attacks on everybody. Mud, mud, mud. Whitewash for our friends.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-05

President Roosevelt walks away from the “White House” holding the “big stick” with a “Hepburn rate bill” on the end of it. South Carolina Senator Benjamin R. Tillman holds the bottom of the big stick.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01

President Roosevelt pulls one football player off from another player. A group of “decent athletes” cheers. In the background is the “White House,” a dove carrying the “peace of Portsmouth,” a “hunting trophy,” “San Juan Hill,” “settling the coal strike,” “Panama,” and a “past performances” big stick. Caption: How the doctrine of the strenuous life goes hand in hand with the gospel of clean sport.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-11

President Roosevelt uses a “Peace of Portsmouth” axe to cut down the big stick labeled “war: partisan exaggeration of Roosevelt’s strenuousity.” “China,” “Germany,” “England,” “Italy,” and “France” all look on.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-09-04

President Roosevelt writes on a “Defi to Congress” as he also looks at a man holding a “dandy” gun, who asks, “Can’t I sell you one of our dandy guns?” A “rebuke from Congress” missile flies behind Roosevelt near a copy of the “N. Y. World” that Roosevelt is hitting with “the big stick” thanks to “spanking machine” that he is operating with his left foot. “Bill possum” chases a “teddy bear” near Roosevelt’s feet, and there are “Ananias Club tickets,” a “message,” and “98-mile ride” boots on the ground. Roosevelt uses his right foot to send a “wire to California.” He holds a “pat. gladhander” in his left hand as he shakes hands with a “big game hunter,” an “office hunter” and a “prize fighter.” A phonograph plays “Delighted, delighted” on it. Meanwhile, a man carries out a mattress and sings, “Moving day.” Caption: With only a few weeks more in which to finish up his work.

comments and context

Comments and Context

For two presidential terms political cartoonists of all persuasions had dutifully drawn cartoons trying to capture the omnivorous activities of the polymath in the White House; Theodore Roosevelt as cognoscente, strenuously pursuing interests and guests of all sorts. Willis H. Thorndike of the Baltimore American would have been one of the last, in the last weeks of the Roosevelt presidency, and he covered many areas of the president’s activity (or hyperactivity) — almost a compendium of minor issues and passing disputes.

President Roosevelt and William H. Taft attend a man labeled “General Prosperity.” There are “Roosevelt policies” and “bumper crops” on the side table. William Jennings Bryan sticks his head in the window and holds a box: “Doc Bryan’s hard times nostrums.” Caption: Old Doc. Bryan–You need my services. Gen. Prosperity–No, thanks; I have a good doctor and a fine nurse and I will fully recover after November 3d.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The Baltimore American, founded in 1799, was seldom the largest journal in its field, even when Baltimore the second-largest city in America. It was a Union paper when Maryland harbored Secessionist sympathies; and the “Sunpapers” dominated for decades. It continued as Republican outlet — as this cartoon would suggest — especially after Theodore Roosevelt’s disciple Frank Andrew Munsey bought it in 1921; but in 1924 it became part of William Randolph Hearst’s chain of newspapers.