One reason in four tableaux
Subject(s): City and town life, Employees, New York (State)--New York, Politicians, Rich people, Social classes
Click on image to zoom in
Illustration shows four scenes related to New York City residents: in the upper left, “August in Madison Ave.” showing the well-to-do leaving town to beat the summer heat; in the upper right, “August in Mulligan Alley” showing the working class suffering from the summer heat; in the lower left, “The ‘better element’ in his element” showing wealthy men relaxing in comfort at the shore; and in the lower right, “The ward politician making ‘dives’ popular” showing a local politician handing out free tickets to mothers and children at popular middle class beaches and amusement parks. Caption: Why the “better element” never happens to get a popular vote in New York City.
Comments and Context
This cartoon is an example of social commentary by Puck, though it is frankly gentle in the days of Naturalism in literature and exposes of the slums, when Jacob Riis’s How the Other Half Lives excited public controversy. The book by Riis, an ally of Theodore Roosevelt, resulted in reforms and regulations easing the plight of the urban poor. Neither the milieu of the Malefactors of Great Wealth, nor the street urchins, are depicted here in extremis, but the ministrations of political organizations and police groups are lauded.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1900-08-22
Creator(s)
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937
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:
One reason in four tableaux. [August 22, 1900]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275592. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937. One reason in four tableaux. [22 Aug. 1900]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275592.
APA:
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937., [1900, August 22]. One reason in four tableaux.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275592.
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. March 5, 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.
