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Judge Alton B. Parker pulls a donkey to safety across a bridge constructed of planks labeled “Conservatism, Sanity, Tariff Reform, [and] Anti-Trust.” Falling into the chasm are William Jennings Bryan, hanging onto the “Financial Plank,” and David B. Hill. The donkey’s bridle is labeled “Telegram.”
Comments and Context
In 1904, presidential candidates did not attend their nominating conventions. The ritual included informing the candidate by telegram and the candidate’s acceptance by telegram, followed by transmission of the platform, and delegations visiting the candidates’ homes for the”formal” notifications and acceptance speeches.
The Democratic donkey’s bridle labeled “telegram” is thus explained. New York Appeals Court Judge Alton Brooks Parker was nominated by the Democrats as a “safe and sane” alternative to eight years of Populist-tinged influence of William Jennings Bryan.
Parker was forthright in his message, supporting low tariffs and opposing monopolies. Bryan’s forces saved face by inserting a vague currency plank in the platform, but the party did affirm sound money (the gold standard). Cartoonist Keppler’s inclusion of David Bennett Hill (former New York governor and senator) might seem odd. Hill made a powerful but futile speech to the 1896 convention, opposing Bryan’s Free Silver plank and upholding the gold standard; later drifted in and out of Bryan’s camp. Moreover, Hill was the informal manager of Parker before and after the nomination, so his embrace of the “financial plank” and Bryan are a bit puzzling.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1904-07-27
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:
Landed. [July 27, 1904]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277841. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. Landed. [27 Jul. 1904]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277841.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1904, July 27]. Landed.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277841.
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 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.
