A rocky road and a bad guide
Subject(s): Hill, David B. (David Bennett), 1843-1910, Lifting and carrying, Parker, Alton B. (Alton Brooks), 1852-1926, Political conventions, Porters, Presidents--Election, Trails
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Alton B. Parker sits in a chair strapped to the back of David B. Hill, who is carrying him up a narrow, treacherous, rocky trail on the edge of a mountain “to [the] St. Louis Convention.” Hill’s walking stick, labeled “Trickery” and “Peanut Politics,” has been broken and mended. Caption: Parker — I think I’ll get out and walk.
Comments and Context
With the Democratic National Convention only weeks away, and the presidential nomination its main order of business, the dark horse boosted by Puck and other conservative Democrats was looking like a sure bet. Appeals Court Judge Alton B. Parker was the darkest of dark horses: having never served in an elected executive office; without a constituency or party base; and an advocate of few known positions. But, he was not William Jennings Bryan, whose waning power was still dreaded by mainline Democrats.
In the months preceding the convention, Puck saw one reason to keep a watchful eye on Parker’s progress. Former governor and senator David B. Hill took Parker under his wing. After Parker did indeed win the party’s nomination, Hill became his manager. For its entire life, Puck had opposed Hill not only as an intra-party foe of Grover Cleveland as governor and president, but as a slippery and dishonest “peanut politician,” petty and unreliable.
The expression of both men in this cartoon, as much as the tenuous pathway to the convention, tells the story of the political situation. The machinations were for naught, as Parker’s opponent in 1904, President Roosevelt, won reelection by historic margins.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1904-05-25
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:
A rocky road and a bad guide. [May 25, 1904]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277821. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. A rocky road and a bad guide. [25 May. 1904]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 24, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277821.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1904, May 25]. A rocky road and a bad guide.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277821.
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 24, 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.
