The third hole
Subject(s): Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Democratic donkey (Symbolic character), Horsemanship, Presidents--Election
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William Jennings Bryan pulls on a saddle strap labeled “[18]96, 1900, 1908” on the Democratic donkey, trying to get it tight enough for the pin to fit into “The Third Hole” labeled “1908.” Caption: Same old cinch, but considerably tighter this time.
Comments and Context
Only three weeks before the presidential balloting in 1908, and students will notice several factors displayed in this cartoon by Frank A. Nankivell.
Most prominently, Puck as with much of America’s press continued virtually to ignore national issues. There certainly were matters to be decided — economic, political, systemic reform, conservation, military questions among them — but cartoons and editorials paid little attention. Republican organs likely did not want to “rock the boat;” and Democratic journals that remained uncomfortable with candidate William Jennings Bryan focused their observations on humor or personalities rather than endorse Republican William H. Taft.
This cartoon merely observes that Bryan is a habitual presidential aspirant. Political commentary begins and ends with the White House being portrayed as a mirage.
It also should be noted that, for the second week in a row, a major candidate is drawn in cowboy garb (the previous week, Taft as an awkward dude out West). This is a subtle reminder that the non-candidate, Theodore Roosevelt, still, and in many ways, dominated the consciousness of voters and the tone of the debates… or lack of debates.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1908-10-21
Creator(s)
Nankivell, Frank A. (Frank Arthur), 1869-1959
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 third hole. [October 21, 1908]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289037. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Nankivell, Frank A. (Frank Arthur), 1869-1959. The third hole. [21 Oct. 1908]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289037.
APA:
Nankivell, Frank A. (Frank Arthur), 1869-1959., [1908, October 21]. The third hole.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289037.
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 12, 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.
