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William Jennings Bryan and William H. Taft stand aboard a ship applying for the job of “First Mate” to “Captain” Uncle Sam. Bryan has a pocketful of “Promises,” whereas Taft has “Records” of his world travels to prove his experience. Caption: Captain Sam — Yes, I’ll be wanting a First Mate, and a good one. I’m off for a rough, hard v’yage, and the man who’s had experience is the Mate for me.
Comments and Context
“The Safer Choice” might be one of the softest endorsements in American political history, perhaps second only to the reluctant editorial about Theodore Roosevelt on the eve of the 1904 presidential election, simply: “Theodore, with all thy faults…”
Puck, owned by its chief political cartoonist, Udo J. Keppler, was traditionally a Democratic journal. Yet it was in general sympathy with Theodore Roosevelt during his seven and a half years as president. And since 1896 it had scorned or tolerated William Jennings Bryan as a crank who had captured a portion of the Democratic Party.
In this cartoon, an endorsement of Roosevelt’s chosen successor William Howard Taft is implied… but subtly implied. Neither candidate is depicted with full respect; Taft’s vest is frowzy and Bryan’s hair unkempt; Taft is cheerful, Bryan wary.
But in Bryan’s pocket is a list of promises, and Taft has a sheet of references. Not a ringing endorsement from cartoonist Keppler, but reflective of how much of the country felt in the eve of the election.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1908-10-21
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:
The safer choice. [October 21, 1908]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289038. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. The safer choice. [21 Oct. 1908]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. April 16, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289038.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1908, October 21]. The safer choice.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289038.
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. April 16, 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.
