The new boy, January 1, 1905
Subject(s): Boys, Crowns, Hill, David B. (David Bennett), 1843-1910, Imperialism, New Year, Refuse and refuse disposal, Sweeping and dusting, Taggart, Thomas, 1856-1929
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A young boy in uniform and cap labeled “1905” sweeps an office clean of many papers labeled “Yellow Peril 1904, Broken Resolutions, Dave Hill ‘I was a Democrat’ 1904, [and] St. Louis Graft 1904” and a large crown labeled “Imperialism.” Some papers labeled “Tom Taggart, [and] Campaign Oratory 1904” are already in the wastebasket.
Comments and Context
Frank Nankivell, Puck‘s Australian-born, Japanese-trained cartoonist, opened the new year of 1905 with traditional New Year Baby in a decidedly contemporary office-boy uniform, the model of efficiency, clearing the floors of old issues, old controversies, and old public figures.
The cartoon does a favor for future researchers and historians, because its file drawers, litter, and waste basket are filled with the memorable issues of the past year, and of the Roosevelt administration’s first term.
Among those checklist items (of categories whose details might be shrouded in history’s mists) is a crown. This was not meant as a criticism of monarchs, but of President Roosevelt’s imputed imperial ambitions. The longtime Democratic politician and perennial presidential aspirant David Bennett Hill is in the trash, his career seemingly over; his famous slogan “I am a Democrat” has been changed to “I was a Democrat.” The file drawer “Swallow vs. Potter” refers to a dispute between the prominent Episcopalian Bishop Henry Potter, who urged public acceptance of drinking establishments, and Silas Swallow, 1904 presidential candidate of the Prohibition Party. (Yes, the anti-liquor leader was named Swallow.) Many of the labels refer to Roosevelt’s accomplishments and policies.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1905-01-04
Creator(s)
Nankivell, Frank A. (Frank Arthur), 1869-1959
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:
The new boy, January 1, 1905. [January 4, 1905]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278063. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Nankivell, Frank A. (Frank Arthur), 1869-1959. The new boy, January 1, 1905. [4 Jan. 1905]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. August 3, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278063.
APA:
Nankivell, Frank A. (Frank Arthur), 1869-1959., [1905, January 4]. The new boy, January 1, 1905.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278063.
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. August 3, 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.
