A surprise on the menu
Subject(s): Foraker, Joseph Benson, 1846-1917, Potpies, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
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President Roosevelt stares at Senator Joseph Benson Foraker while both are sitting in a “political potpie.”
Comments and Context
The reference in cartoonist Russell’s cartoon undoubtedly is the surprise altercation at the Gridiron Club dinner in Washington precisely one week previous.
The routinely convivial and private fraternization of journalists and politicians, an annual roast with good-natured ribbing, traditionally was private. But an ugly exchange of recriminations between President Theodore Roosevelt and Senator Joseph Benson Foraker of Ohio over the Brownsville Incident broke the bonds of secrecy.
“Not on the menu,” indeed. And for all parties the Brownsville Affair was its own variety of indigestion for a long time.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-01-31
Creator(s)
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Page Count
1
Production Method
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:
A surprise on the menu. [January 31, 1907]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301418. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Russell, Kirk L., 1873-1934. A surprise on the menu. [31 Jan. 1907]. Image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301418.
APA:
Russell, Kirk L., 1873-1934., [1907, January 31]. A surprise on the menu.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301418.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
