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Several small boats race on a calm sea for the “Nomination Stake Boat.” In the boats are William H. Taft in the “Gnat” under the banner “Buckeye Y.C.,” Joseph Gurney Cannon in the “Scat” under the banner “Danville Y.C.,” Charles W. Fairbanks in the boat “Ice King” under the banner “Big Darby Y.C.,” Leslie M. Shaw in the boat “Pshaw,” and Elihu Root in the boat “Root.” The face of Theodore Roosevelt fills the sun, smiling down on the becalmed racers.
Comments and Context
Cartoonist Udo J. Keppler allowed himself a “dog days of summer” theme in 1906 — no Congressional bills, no scandals, no party squabbles — but characteristically infused it with news and political aspects, and it comes down through the years as informative; and humorous, with a number of subtle references.
The year 1906 was the midterm of President Roosevelt’s second administration, and despite his disavowal of interest in succeeding himself in the White House, politics asserted its typical roiling of waters — would he change his mind? Would he designate a preferred successor?
If the waters of controversy were roiling, the waters in Keppler’s match were not. They were still, and no breeze affected any sail. The destination was distant, and the sun with the President’s face — beaming, delighted as always — broiled the participants.
Keppler correctly depicted the possible contenders for 1908. We know that Secretary of State Elihu Root was Roosevelt’s personal choice, but his Wall Street ties would have been poison with voters (the President knew his argument was futile, that Root was a superb lawyer for any client, and as president, the nation would be his client). Taft, perennially jovial, would have preferred a Supreme Court seat, but knew he had Roosevelt’s favor.
The crusty old Speaker of the House actually was advanced as a possible presidential candidate, mostly by the Stand-Pat and reactionary faction he served in Congress. Leslie M. Shaw, fellow Cabinet member of Root and Taft, was ambitious for the presidency but had the practical prospects of a wet match; and the same was said of Vice-President Charles W. Fairbanks, whose hunger for the office was palpable. Fairbanks’ frustrations were almost a plaything of Keppler.
The names on the banners and the boats are all references or puns related to the politicians’ personalities or home towns. At least the cartoonist found a way to have fun during the hot summer months.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1906-07-18
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:
A drifting match. [July 18, 1906]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278556. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. A drifting match. [18 Jul. 1906]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278556.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1906, July 18]. A drifting match.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278556.
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.
