The writing on the wall
Subject(s): Blaine, James Gillespie, 1830-1893, Brady, Thomas Jefferson, 1839-1904, Capitalists and financiers, Clayton, Powell, 1833-1914, Corruption, Depew, Chauncey M. (Chauncey Mitchell), 1834-1928, Dinners and dining, Dorsey, Stephen Wallace, 1842-1916, Elkins, Stephen B. (Stephen Benton), 1841-1911, Fear--Political aspects, Field, Cyrus W. (Cyrus West), 1819-1892, Gould, Jay, 1836-1892, Hamilton, Gail, 1833-1896, Ingersoll, Robert Green, 1833-1899, Logan, John Alexander, 1826-1886, Monopolies, Presidents--Elections, Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912, Roach, John, 1813-1887, Scandals--Political aspects, Vanderbilt, William H. (William Henry), 1821-1885
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At a dinner party is presidential candidate James Gillespie Blaine, who is trying to cover himself with pages of the New York Tribune, and by his side, vice-presidential candidate John A. Logan. Seated around a table set with “Pension Pie, Monopoly Stew, [and] Star Route Shortcake” are James W. Husted, Chancey M. Depew, Powell Clayton, Joseph Medill, Stephen W. Dorsey, Thomas J. Brady, a man identified as “Elkins,” William H. Vanderbilt, Jay Gould, Cyrus W. Field, Whitelaw Reid on his feet, John Roach, and Robert G. Ingersoll fleeing with a bone labeled “Star Route Spoils.” Blaine wears an “Anti-Sunstroke Cabbage Leaf” on his head, to which is attached a quill pen labeled “Gail Hamilton.” Projected onto a wall at the far end of the room are the words “Republican Revolt,” which has frightened everyone in the room.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1884-06-18
Creator(s)
Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894
Period
Dakota Rancher (June 1884-1886)
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 writing on the wall. [June 18, 1884]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o287981. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894. The writing on the wall. [18 Jun. 1884]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 11, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o287981.
APA:
Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894., [1884, June 18]. The writing on the wall.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o287981.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
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. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. December 11, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
