Regulars and irregulars– but all arrayed against a common enemy
Subject(s): Americans--Politics and government, Ammunition, Fornes, Charles Vincent, 1844-1929, Howitzers, Low, Seth, 1850-1916, Mayors, New York (State), New York (State)--New York, Politicians, Reform movement, Shells, Tammany Hall, Tiger, Tigers
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New York Mayor Seth Low directs the bombardment of a Tammany Hall bunker flying a flag labeled “Tammany Graft.” Several men, among them former President Grover Cleveland, and Charles V. Fornes, pass shells labeled “Clean record, Capable administration, [and] Just return for taxes” for an “Anti-Tammany” howitzer. They are behind a sand-bag bunker labeled “Honest Government” and are flying the flag of “Municipal Reform.” Caption: “That ammunition fits our gun only.”
Comments and Context
“Regulars and Irregulars” — cartoonist Keppler illustrated the “fusion” aspect of Mayor Seth Low’s New York City administration.In 1901 Low had been elected as a Reform Republican and Fusion candidate, on the Citizen’s Union ticket.
In fewer than two years Low effected many reforms swiftly and forcefully, taking advantage of his unprecedented victory over Tammany Hall Democrats, who were demoralized and in disarray. And Low kept his coalition together. Public servants of all stripes supported him editorially or politically, as Keppler caricatured various leaders of various backgrounds.
The shining moments of New York City’s clean administrations, however, were exceptions, not the rule. Two weeks after this cartoon appeared, a resurgent Tammany machine took back City Hall in the person of George McClellan, son of the Civil War general. And the new Tammany leader, Charles Murphy, ensconced himself as Boss for a long decade thereafter.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1903-10-21
Creator(s)
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:
Regulars and irregulars– but all arrayed against a common enemy. [October 21, 1903]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277402. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. Regulars and irregulars– but all arrayed against a common enemy. [21 Oct. 1903]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277402.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1903, October 21]. Regulars and irregulars– but all arrayed against a common enemy.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277402.
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.
