The rivals
Subject(s): Beveridge, Albert J. (Albert Jeremiah), 1862-1927, Cannon, Joseph Gurney, 1836-1926, Cats, Cortelyou, George B. (George Bruce), 1862-1940, Courtship, Fairbanks, Charles W. (Charles Warren), 1852-1918, Foraker, Joseph Benson, 1846-1917, Hughes, Charles Evans, 1862-1948, Knox, Philander C. (Philander Chase), 1853-1921, Presidents--Election, Shaw, Leslie M. (Leslie Mortier), 1848-1932, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930, Woodruff, Timothy L. (Timothy Lester), 1858-1913
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A white cat wearing a bow labeled “Nomination” is being courted by other cats who represent potential candidates in the upcoming presidential election. Two other cats peer over walls in the background. Those depicted are Philander C. Knox, Leslie M. Shaw, Charles Evans Hughes, Charles W. Fairbanks, William H. Taft, Joseph Gurney Cannon, Joseph Benson Foraker, and George B. Cortelyou. In the background are Timothy L. Woodruff and Albert J. Beveridge.
Comments and Context
As the mid-summer Republican presidential nominating convention drew closer, Puck magazine seemed ever more determined to start a cat-fight between politicians who might otherwise have harbored White House ambitions. But President Roosevelt, having disclaimed interest in succeeding himself in 1908 — and wanting at all costs to secure the nomination for Secretary of War William H. Taft, and avert intraparty squabbles — managed to frustrate any potential rivals to Taft.
Nevertheless Puck routinely depicted a squad of hopefuls as grasping and famished rather than merely resigned and frustrated.
In this cartoon by J. S. Pughe, the group of feral creatures gather around the demure house cat “Nomination.” Odd additions to Puck‘s usual group of aspirants are Charles Evans Hughes, the freshman governor of New York; former New York governor Timothy L. Woodruff, who had faded from the scene in 1905; and the new Indiana senator and insurgent Albert J. Beveridge.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1908-02-05
Creator(s)
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909
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:
The rivals. [February 5, 1908]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o286042. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909. The rivals. [5 Feb. 1908]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o286042.
APA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909., [1908, February 5]. The rivals.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o286042.
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.
