After he becomes an ex

This cartoon depicts four different options for President Roosevelt after he leaves office: “President of Harvard,” “In charge of the Panama Canal,” “A member of the Peace Congress at The Hague,” or “U.S. Senator from New York.” Caption: A composite horoscope by the Hon. Champ Clark.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Only a year into President Roosevelt’s second term, editorialists, politicians, and cartoonists continually speculated on his future — as a young ex-president (he would be 50) with a range of professional opportunities; or, if he were to break his word not to seek a successive term, how American politics would be affected.

Champ Clark, Democratic representative from Missouri, was a rising star in the House of Representatives, admired for his persuasive personality and speaking abilities. In 1907 he was advanced as his party’s candidate for Speaker of the House; but Democrats, in the minority, watched Joseph Gurney Cannon be re-elected to the post.

Clark was in demand as a speaker and writer, and in 1907 he joined the chorus of those who addressed Roosevelt’s eventual retirement. To his credit, and that of cartoonist Jack Smith, who “illustrated” Clark’s points, the temptation to envision absurd and humorous professional activities was avoided.

In fact Roosevelt, upon leaving the White House, traveled for more than a year on an African safari and a tour of Europe’s crowned heads; and he accepted the position of Contributing Editor of The Outlook, a modest Christian weekly magazine. He could have earned more money in other pursuits, as editor of larger magazines or newspapers, or those pictured by Smith.

Clark was not above speculating about his own future, and the presidency. He was elected Speaker after the Democratic landslide of 1910, and was the leading candidate for president at the Democrat presidential convention. His party required two-thirds vote for the nominee, and after dozens of ballots, his cause faded and New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson’s rose. The latter won the nomination and the presidency against the incumbent President William H. Taft, and third party candidate Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-04

Creator(s)

Smith, Jack H., -1935

Language

English

Period

U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)

Page Count

1

Production Method

Printed

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