Santa Claus elect preparing for Christmas

President Roosevelt appears as Santa Claus gathering gifts, such as “Consulship, Ambassadorship, Secretary of Navy, Secretary of State, Governorship of Philippines” and others, to place into his bag of Christmas presents, which George B. Cortelyou is holding open. A paper in Cortelyou’s pocket is labeled “Post Master General.”

Comments and Context

This cartoon, published at the end of November 1904, between President Roosevelt’s triumphant re-election and Christmas, relies on the fact that the Roosevelt presidency was not merely to continue, but in fact begin a new term. It was traditional for vice presidents assuming the presidency after the death of their presidents, to adhere to the policies, and retain the personnel, of their former chiefs. This tradition was often practiced in the breach, especially when simple, practical matters intervened — political exigencies; voluntary resignations of staff members; unforeseen events, for instance.

Roosevelt had pledged to “continue, absolutely unbroken” the policies of William McKinley when he assumed office following his assassination. It was not in Roosevelt’s character, however, to be an automaton; and he likely believed that his bold policy initiatives might have been McKinley’s own if had not been assassinated. But as Roosevelt told his best friend and political mentor Henry Cabot Lodge, there was no use in being morbid about a martyred predecessor; so he proceeded on his own. Boldly.

The hallmarks of a new presidency — in Roosevelt’s day more than our own, even within the same party — was the dispensing of patronage posts and all sorts of political posts in government and the diplomatic service. New presidents were expected to install new teams. After his inauguration “in his own right” after March 4, 1905, Roosevelt did indeed accelerate the appointments of his own partisans. His new Postmaster General, the trusted lieutenant George Cortelyou, dispensed patronage from the department than associated with federal “plums” more than is the case today.

The many other gifts spread around the room are not specific open posts, but represent the range of offices and appointments at a president’s disposal, and the closest an American Constitutional system comes to establishing a “permanent government” as in Great Britain and other Parliamentary systems.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1904-11-30

Creator(s)

Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909

Language

English

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

Cartoon

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Citation