One cat that has nine lives—or more

This cartoon includes six vignettes of President Roosevelt. In the first, Roosevelt speaks from a podium with the caption: “Roosevelt—I will not accept another term.” In the second, Roosevelt sits at a desk and writes as a cat labeled “3rd term” sits nearby with the caption: “Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for a third term.” In the third, Roosevelt seems surprised to see the “3rd term” cat with the caption: “I said that I didn’t want to have anything to do with a third term.” In the fourth, Roosevelt attempts to hit the “3rd term” cat with his big stick with the caption: “And I meant just what I said and all I said.” In the fifth, Roosevelt kicks the “3rd term” cat with the caption: “Now, don’t let me see you again.” In the sixth, an enormous “3rd term” cat sits in the foreground as Roosevelt runs away with the caption: “– But the cat came back.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

This cartoon, clipped and pasted in the White House scrapbook, is by a forgotten and obscure cartoonist in an unidentified newspaper. But the theme is very familiar: virtually every cartoonist drew about the possibility of Theodore Roosevelt running again for president in 1908, and his inability to avoid such speculation.

The public was no less curious — or insistent — making cartoons like this more likely to appear, frequently. This version of the situation by the mysterious “HM” was more humorous than most.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04

Creator(s)

Unknown

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