In the court of public opinion
Subject(s): Corruption, Labor leaders, Labor unions, Police, Police--Legal status, laws, etc., Public opinion, Trial practice, Uncle Sam (Symbolic character)
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A police officer holding a hat labeled “Law and Order” stands in a courtroom with a labor union “Walking Delegate” who has papers showing in his pocket labeled “Bribes” and “Broken Contract.” They are standing before Uncle Sam who is wearing the judicial robes of the judge. Caption: The Justice — You’ve distrubed the peace long enough and I’ve a mind to sentence you to hard labor – a most severe sentence in your case.
Comments and Context
Just at the time when President Roosevelt’s intervention in the Anthracite Coal Strike the previous year indicated a thaw in the perception of labor unions and strikes in the minds of the public and the government, there was an uptick in labor violence and major union-related public disruptions. At the center of many workers’ actions were “Walking Delegates,” originally regarded as mere representatives of national labor organizations. Then, their roles changed and they were often regarded as agents provocateurs. Cartoonists often depicted them as bloated leeches, taking advantage of workers through onerous union dues. Finally they were seen — and sometimes were — plotters of violence during strikes, andb attacks on “scabs,” worker who crossed strike-lines.
In these contentious times, Pughe’s cartoon represented how a large portion of the public regarded Walking Delegates, even if sympathies grew for workers themselves.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1903-06-17
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:
In the court of public opinion. [June 17, 1903]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277292. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909. In the court of public opinion. [17 Jun. 1903]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277292.
APA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909., [1903, June 17]. In the court of public opinion.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277292.
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.
