A timely warning
Subject(s): Free trade--Protection, Republican elephant (Symbolic character), Swimming, Tariff
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The Republican elephant, wearing a hat labeled “G.O.P.” and “High Protective Tariff” and a swimsuit labeled “Tariff-Protected Trusts,” wades offshore toward huge waves labeled “Public Patience.” President Theodore Roosevelt is standing closer to shore with one hand on a “Reciprocity Life Line” and the other hand raised, as he calls out a warning about going too far. The U.S. Capitol is visible in the background. Caption: Roosevelt–Don’t go beyond your depth!
Comments and Context
Pughe’s cartoon is a straightforward statement of the political situation — the policies of the new president, Theodore Roosevelt, recommending lower international tariffs and an acceptance of reciprocal trade agreements with foreign partners (policies toward which President William McKinley was warming at the time of his death). The illustration of current events is as logical as an elephant in women’s beach costume is not. But political cartoonists are masters of all they survey.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1903-09-02
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:
A timely warning. [September 2, 1903]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277350. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909. A timely warning. [2 Sep. 1903]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277350.
APA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909., [1903, September 2]. A timely warning.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277350.
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.
