This cat escapes the Senate with a few of its nine lives left; – will it lose them in the House?
Subject(s): Boating industry, Cats, Hanna, Marcus Alonzo, 1837-1904, Legislation, Tillman, Benjamin R. (Benjamin Ryan), 1847-1918, United States, United States. Congress. Senate, Vest, George Graham, 1830-1904
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In the Senate chamber at the U.S. Capitol, a large cat with papers tied around its waist labeled “Ship Subsidy Bill” is making a mad dash for a door as senators throw ink pots and books at it while Mark Hanna tries to get them to stop. Senators Vest and Tillman are identified in the foreground as being in opposition to the bill.
Comments and Context
There was a sort of “perfect storm” that doomed the Ship Subsidy Bill in 1902. The American shipbuilding industry was thriving on its own and was not in dire need of subsidies. For instance, Germany’s Prince Henry, an admiral, had recently visited the United States to take possession of his American-built yacht Meteor. However, J. P. Morgan, new chief of trusts, including steel, that had interests in building ships and in international oceanbound trade, desired government subsidies. (When Morgan failed to secure American subsidies he shifted his designs to England where, among other moves, he engaged Bruce Ismay to help him purchase the White Star Line, whose ships eventually included Titanic.) Two of the states, and therefore two of the senators, most desirous of shipbuilding subsidies were Pennsylvania and Ohio, which is why Mark Hanna is shown trying to protect the cat in this cartoon. In addition to the logical economic arguments against handouts, and a rising public tide against trusts, there was resentment of Senator Hanna, even from Republican senatorial rivals.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1902-04-02
Creator(s)
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
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:
This cat escapes the Senate with a few of its nine lives left; – will it lose them in the House?. [April 2, 1902]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276215. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909. This cat escapes the Senate with a few of its nine lives left; – will it lose them in the House?. [2 Apr. 1902]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 24, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276215.
APA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909., [1902, April 2]. This cat escapes the Senate with a few of its nine lives left; – will it lose them in the House?.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276215.
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 24, 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.
