Signs and divinations
Subject(s): Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Chafin, Eugene W. (Eugene Wilder), 1852-1920, Debs, Eugene V. (Eugene Victor), 1855-1926, Hearst, William Randolph, 1863-1951, Hisgen, Thomas L. (Thomas Louis), 1858-1925, Hitchcock, Frank H. (Frank Harris), 1867-1935, Mack, Norman Edward, 1858-1932, Political parties, Presidents--Elections, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930, Watson, Thomas E. (Thomas Edward), 1856-1922
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Vignettes depict the presidential candidates for the 1908 election, each learning their fortunes regarding the outcome of the election. Norman Edward Mack as a palm reader tells William Jennings Bryan that his “line of ambition is phenomenally long. Likewise your line of talk. You can’t lose.” Frank H. Hitchcock as a seer gazing into a crystal ball, which shows the face of Theodore Roosevelt, tells William H. Taft that he sees “nothing but success.” Thomas L. Hisgen is reading cards labeled “W. R. Hearst.” Thomas E. Watson sees the word “Cinch” in the stars. Eugene W. Chafin is reading tea leaves. Eugene V. Debs is dropping hot lead into a cauldron showing the White House.
Comments and Context
Puck had grown comfortable with double-page cartoons comprised of vignettes on a theme, and ran them approximately once a month. This cartoon is a rare three-man “jam,” the central drawings by Will Crawford. In keeping with the magazine’s routine depictions, Republican William H. Taft is happy and confident; his Democrat rival William Jennings Bryan is unkempt, seedy, and in need of a shave (the power of subconscious graphic subtleties!)
The other figure represent the four other “major” candidate in the race — only Socialist Eugene V. Debs with any chance to make a dent in the final poll numbers.Thomas Watson of Georgia is portrayed as a gullible nitwit gazing at astrological charts; he was the last holdover of the Populist movement, and his perennial quest for the presidency would end in 1908. The Prohibition candidate tries to read his beloved tea leaves. And the candidate of the microscopic Independence Party reads the cards, all of which turn up “Hearst.” The Yellow-Journalist publisher, disaffected with Bryan, formed the Independence Party and put up the owner of a local oil company who felt wronged by Standard Oil.
Of major importance, from the standpoint of journalistic history and political cartooning, is the unusual fact that Puck continued to cordially tweak, or remain neutral, as it addressed Taft and Bryan. Twelve years of hostility to Bryan’s platforms and personality could not quickly dissipate.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1908-09-30
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:
Signs and divinations. [September 30, 1908]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288576. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Crawford, Will, 1869-1944. Signs and divinations. [30 Sep. 1908]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 19, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288576.
APA:
Crawford, Will, 1869-1944., [1908, September 30]. Signs and divinations.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288576.
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 19, 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.
