Bringing in the Teddy-turk
Subject(s): Aldrich, Nelson W. (Nelson Wilmarth), 1841-1915, Archbold, John D. (John Dustin), 1848-1916, Balls (Parties), Cannon, Joseph Gurney, 1836-1926, Congressional leadership, Dalzell, John, 1845-1927, Day, James Roscoe, 1845-1923, Dinners and dining, Dinners and dining--Religious aspects, Elkins, Stephen B. (Stephen Benton), 1841-1911, Foraker, Joseph Benson, 1846-1917, Harriman, Edward Henry, 1848-1909, Haskell, Charles Nathaniel, 1860-1933, Patronage, Political, Payne, Sereno Elisha, 1843-1914, Rockefeller, John D. (John Davison), 1839-1937, Rogers, Henry Huttleston, 1840-1909, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Sherman, J. S. (James Schoolcraft), 1855-1912, Thanksgiving Day, Turkeys
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A chef labeled “Special Privilege” holds a large platter on which rests a huge turkey with the face of Theodore Roosevelt. He is about to place the platter on a table around which sit several men labeled “Cannon, Rockefeller, Archbold, Haskell, Payne, Dalzell, Elkins, Sherman, Foraker, Harrimen, Day, Rogers” and Nelson W. Aldrich.
Comments and Context
The “Teddy-Turk” cartoon by Udo J. Keppler in Puck was the magazine’s strongest — in fact one of its only — comments on the election just concluded.
It is a tribute to President Roosevelt’s power and influence that Puck‘s post-mortem commentary would neither mention nor portray the candidates in the late campaign, president-elect William Howard Taft and William Jennings Bryan. Neither is there a mention of any issues of the campaign… beyond Puck‘s targeted enemy of both parties and all citizens, “Special Privilege.”
The challenge to American politics and civic health was acknowledged by many — not only subsequent history — and many of the lively debates were about ways to fight or compromise or tolerate entrenched corruption.
The cartoon, therefore, centered on Keppler’s question as to whether corporate moguls and trust magnates could feel justified in rejoicing over Roosevelt’s imminent retirement. It is an implied criticism of Roosevelt’s designated successor, Taft, otherwise there scarcely would be much of a turkey to carve. The passive expression on Roosevelt’s face suggests that the cartoonist reckoned that Roosevelt’s national influence was at an end.
All the ravenous dinner guests — caricatured with increasing venom, month by month — are business figures except two of their errand boys of sorts, Speaker of the House Joseph Cannon, Senator Nelson W. Aldrich, Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, and Senator Stephen B. Elkins. And, tellingly, the incoming vice president elected with Taft, J. S. Sherman.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1908-11-18
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:
Bringing in the Teddy-turk. [November 18, 1908]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289136. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. Bringing in the Teddy-turk. [18 Nov. 1908]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. April 2, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289136.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1908, November 18]. Bringing in the Teddy-turk.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289136.
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 2, 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.
