Our “Abdul the damned”

Joseph Gurney Cannon, as the cruel, autocratic Sultan of the Turks, Abdülhamid II, sits on a throne, smoking a hookah labeled “Obstruction,” as two men, in the background, dressed as Turks labeled “Payne” and “Dalzell,” suffer from a chill or other deprivation.

Comments and Context

Udo J. Keppler, a brilliant caricaturist, seldom practiced the iconic method of representation — a large head on a small body. But in the exception, and despite the thematic statement that Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon’s odious character could be suggested by hoary facial features as well as by actions or labels.

In an event, Cannon’s was a face that Keppler loved to draw, like that of ebullient President Roosevelt and icy Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks. Also, through the years Keppler’s portrayal of the Speaker revealed more seedy desuetude and arrogance. His two factotums in the drawing are subservient powers in Cannon’s court: Sereno Payne, a tax-writing master; and John Dalzell, a House veteran who managed to be a conduit to Roosevelt’s White House.

The Sultan who Cannon portrays in the cartoon was Abdulhamid, the last of many generations of leaders of the Ottoman Empire; perhaps the most autocratic (as the empire crumbled under his rule) and possibly the bloodiest. Abdulhamid scurried to maintain his power and influence, variously resisting and allying with many powers including the French and British, Germans, and Greeks. The United States secured his influence to pacify Muslim Moro extremists in the Philippines; and under him was the historic massacre of Armenians.

In the few years prior to this cartoon’s creation, Abdulhamid had suppressed internal rebellions and instituted political reforms — all too little too late, as with many tyrants and most tellingly with Tsar Nicholas approximately the same time in Russia. Only months after this unflattering comparison in Puck, Abdulhamid was overthrown.

Cannon himself was being overthrown one Congressional session at a time. The growing number of Insurgent Republicans in the House resisted the perquisites of his Speakership; his ability to name committee chairmen and committee members themselves; etc. But in this cartoon, as his power waned, he could still snap his fingers, puff the imperious hookah, and have his attendants bow obsequiously.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1908-09-30

Creator(s)

Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956

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

Cartoon

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Citation