A chattering nuisance
Subject(s): Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Dame Democracy (Symbolic character), Democratic Party (U.S.), Parrots, Political parties--Platforms, Populism
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William Jennings Bryan, as a parrot, chatters at an old woman labeled “Democratic Party.” He is perched on a stand labeled “Dead Issues” with a food dish labeled “Populism,” and squawking “The Moral Issue!! Free Silver!! Kansas City Platform!! [and] 16 to 1.”
Comments and Context
The clear message of this cartoon by Pughe, Puck‘s go-to animal artist in most cases, is that William Jennings Bryan, Populist firebrand who stormed the Democrat Party in 1896 and held it in thrall for eight years, had clearly worn out his welcome, especially after two failed presidential runs.
The telling aspect of the cartoon’s construction, however, is not only that Bryan continually harped on the same few issues, but rather the nature of Puck’s critique. In 1896, when Bryan’s Populism dominated the Democrat convention and platform, the vast majority of American newspapers and magazines — even traditionally Democrat organs, like Puck — opposed Bryan in the extreme. Many cartoons, in fact, depicted Bryan in one of several ways: unstable; immature; crazed; as a dangerous anarchist or revolutionary.
By 1904, many of the depictions — even, once again, by Democratic organs — were more of Beryan as an annoying, outworn crank. That evolution is dispositive.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1904-02-24
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 chattering nuisance. [February 24, 1904]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277745. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909. A chattering nuisance. [24 Feb. 1904]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277745.
APA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909., [1904, February 24]. A chattering nuisance.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277745.
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.
