“The people wanted a change, and they got it” – Benj. Harrison / But the change was made in 1889, and we are still suffering from it – Puck

Subject(s): Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908, Debts, Public, Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901, Presidents--Transition periods, Robbery, Safes

On the left, Grover Cleveland tips his hat as he leaves office in 1889, after passing the key to a large safe labeled “U.S. Treasury” with a “Surplus $100,000,000 Dollars” to incoming president Benjamin Harrison. On the right, President Cleveland, returning to the presidency in 1893, gestures toward the safe as Benjamin Harrison departs. The door to the safe is broken off its hinges and labeled “Looted,” and the safe is now empty. Harrison tips his hat on his way out.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1893-08-23

Creator(s)

Unknown

Language

English

Period

Civil Service Commissioner (1889-April 1895)

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

Cite this Record

Chicago:

“The people wanted a change, and they got it” – Benj. Harrison / But the change was made in 1889, and we are still suffering from it – Puck. [August 23, 1893]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289267. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Unknown. “The people wanted a change, and they got it” – Benj. Harrison / But the change was made in 1889, and we are still suffering from it – Puck. [23 Aug. 1893]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289267.

APA:

Unknown., [1893, August 23]. “The people wanted a change, and they got it” – Benj. Harrison / But the change was made in 1889, and we are still suffering from it – Puck.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o289267.

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 5, 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.