Always wants what it can’t get

President Roosevelt watches as a cow labeled “the public” tries to reach the “third term” haystack but is unable to do so because “Roosevelt’s no third term declaration” fence stands in front of it. In the background is a “Taft boom” haystack. The subtitle asks, “Will the farmer remove the fence?”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Cartoonist Claude Maybell of the Brooklyn Eagle, once a major newspaper in New York City, accurately depicted the political situation in the Republican Party as the 1908 presidential contest loomed.

As it became clear — finally, President Roosevelt must have thought, after his great effort — that William H. Taft was his chosen successor, substantial segments of the party and the public continued to hope that the president would break his pledge not to run again.

No other candidates or aspirants shown, the possible Taft candidacy labeled a “boom,” a fence around a third term labeled as Roosevelt’s “declaration,” no fence around the Taft haystack, and yet the public clamored after Roosevelt. The cartoon was an accurate picture of the situation: one of the few times in American history when a politician had to work hard to deflect demand for his election.

Maybell was the last of several undistinguished cartoonists at the Brooklyn Eagle before the arrival of Nelson Harding, which was imminent. Harding gained national notice and drew for the Eagle for roughly a quarter-century. Maybell is believed to to be the same artist who executed uncountable covers of illustrated sheet music from this time into the 1920s, in many drawing styles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-06

Creator(s)

Maybell, Claude, 1872-

Language

English

Period

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

Repository

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

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