The passing of Lent
Subject(s): Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Clothing and dress, Democratic Party (U.S.), Devil, Gorman, Arthur P. (Arthur Pue), 1839-1906, Monks, Older people, Temptation, Women
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Outside a church, an old woman labeled “Democratic Party” stands between William Jennings Bryan as a friar labeled “16 to 1” and Arthur P. Gorman as the devil. She is smiling as she looks toward the devil. Caption: Mephisto Gorman — You’ve been fasting long enough with dull Friar William. Follow me. I’ll lead you to -.
Comments and Context
One of the thematic preoccupations of cartoonists in these years was the end of Lent — signifying (in cartoons, if not in real life) shedding the bonds of holy circumspection. In the interior pages, black-and-white humorous cartoons dealt with society girls and eligible bachelors. Sometimes dealing with temptations. Cartoonist Pughe adds politics and current events to mix in this center-spread cartoon in Puck.
The cartoon is one more of the magazine’s increasing notice of the Democratic Party’s disenchantment with William Jennings Bryan. The exciting revolutionary of 1896 seemed to many, especially Democrats who endured two presidential losses, to be a dull throwback. In this case, the Devil represents Arthur Pue Gorman, who had just been appointed senator from Maryland for the second time. The conservative Democrat was immediately regarded as leader of the senate Democrats; and immediately he looked beyond the Senate chamber and challenged Bryan for leadership of the party itself.
Part of Gorman’s plan was to position himself (as twice before) as a presidential aspirant. He failed in 1904, but contributed to the Bourbon revolt (as conservative Democrats sometimes were characterized) to the extent that Bryan was denied a third nomination.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1903-04-08
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:
The passing of Lent. [April 8, 1903]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277253. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909. The passing of Lent. [8 Apr. 1903]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277253.
APA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909., [1903, April 8]. The passing of Lent.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277253.
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.
