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Theodore Roosevelt departs from the White House, leaving an infant labeled “My Policies,” wearing the same spectacles as Roosevelt and holding a small stick, in the care of William H. Taft as the maid. William Loeb, as the butler, is carrying Roosevelt’s big stick.
Comments and Context
Cartoonist S. D. Ehrhart commemorated Theodore Roosevelt’s retirement from the presidency, and William H. Taft’s assumption of duties, with an accurate but somehow jaundiced view of the situation, for instance the depiction of President Taft as a mere nanny.
Roosevelt indeed referred to “My Policies,” his record of accomplishments and visions for America’s future, in a paternalistic manner. Taft — portrayed in the cartoon as a nursemaid — is dismissed in this scenario; however he had accepted Roosevelt’s imprimatur, blessings, and virtual demands for fealty when he was advanced as Roosevelt’s successor. At least these were the universal expectations.
The cartoon’s subservient role of William Loeb, Roosevelt’s presidential secretary, was not accurate. Loeb was a loyal factotum in the White House, but subsequently did not continue in Roosevelt’s employ. His son, also named William, became a publisher of several newspapers in New England, including the Manchester Union-Leader and the Connecticut Herald.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1909-02-24
Creator(s)
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937
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:
“Baby, kiss papa good-by”. [February 24, 1909]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o291095. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937. “Baby, kiss papa good-by”. [24 Feb. 1909]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o291095.
APA:
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937., [1909, February 24]. “Baby, kiss papa good-by”.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o291095.
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 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.
