The promised feast
Subject(s): Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Employees, McKinley, William, 1843-1901, Monopolies, Political parties--Platforms, Presidents--Election
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At a table set for a meal, President William McKinley, on the left, and William Jennings Bryan, on the right, each offer up a steaming plate of bloated male figures labeled “Commercial Trusts,” to a much larger man sitting between them. The man wears a napkin tied around his neck labeled “Labor Trust” and holds a knife and fork. Caption: Both candidates promise to serve up the little trusts to the big one.
Comments and Context
This cartoon shows a familiar scenario in American politics at the mid-point in presidential elections. The issues and figures change, but rivals often make appeals to — or pander to — the same potential voting groups. Laborers, the rising middle class in 1900, represented a sizable portion of the electorate, even if individual or industries had influences in their spheres.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1900-08-08
Creator(s)
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909
Period
Governor of New York (October 1898-1900)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
The promised feast. [August 8, 1900]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275584. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909. The promised feast. [8 Aug. 1900]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275584.
APA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909., [1900, August 8]. The promised feast.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275584.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
