No difference
Subject(s): Bliss, Cornelius Newton, 1833-1911, Bribery, Corruption, Hendricks, Francis J., 1834-1920, Hyde, James H. (James Hazen), 1876-1959, Insurance, McCall, John A. (John Augustine), 1849-1906, McCurdy, Richard A. (Richard Aldrich), 1835-1916, Platt, Thomas Collier, 1833-1910, Police, Police--Legal status, laws, etc.
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Thomas Collier Platt and Cornelius Newton Bliss, as police officers, receive “Hush Money” at the door of an “Insurance Co.” from Richard A. McCurdy. Standing in the window of the building are James H. Hyde, Francis Hendricks, and John A. McCall, among others. An insert labeled “Tenderloin Dive” shows police officers accepting a bribe.
Comments and Context
In the Muckraking Era, the public became aware of the odious similarities, first exposed in critiques during the Gilded Age of the 1870s and subsequently, between street crime of the “Other Half” and corruption among the cream of society. Keppler’s cartoon depicts that situation with almost textbook clarity.
The immediate context was the recent insurance industry investigation by a committee of the New York State Assembly, spearheaded most prominently by counsel Charles Evans Hughes. Although many of the shocking exposes were related to the Equitable Life Assurance Society, in this cartoon the dispenser of bribes at the door is Richard A. McCurdy, president of the Mutual Life Insurance Company. Mutual was an older company but similar in its blatant transgressions as perceived by the public, for instance, larding its corporate board with trust magnates and prominent politicians. McCurdy also served as president of the Bell Telephone Company.
Viewing the payoffs from the window are other insurance executives including the young, tall James H. Hyde, whose personal scandals including hosting an opulent costume ball (possibly with his family’s Equitable money) contributed to public opprobrium; and New York Senator Chauncey M. Depew. Depew, on the Equitable board, was one of many sitting legislators grilled in the hearings, and who feigned incredulity when asked about excessive retainers and fees, forgiven loans, and his role as a conduit with other favored influential figures.
The corrupt cops are Thomas Collier Platt, nicknamed the “Easy Boss” of New York and national politics, who was a Republican senator at this time. Although his iron grip on New York politics had waned, he still was a willing go-between for corporations seeking influence and favors. Cornelius Newton Bliss had served as treasurer of the Republican National Committee in the recent presidential campaign and — as revelations still being uncovered in 1911 investigations — sought donations from corporations and trust magnates behind the back of candidate Theodore Roosevelt.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1905-12-13
Creator(s)
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
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:
No difference. [December 13, 1905]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278470. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. No difference. [13 Dec. 1905]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278470.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1905, December 13]. No difference.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278470.
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.
