Packing up for Indianapolis
Subject(s): Indiana--Indianapolis, Railroads and state, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Speeches, addresses, etc.
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Sweating, President Roosevelt attempts to fit an enormous “railroad speech” in his suitcase as he packs on top of a bear rug. A boy holds a smaller roll and says, “Papa, here’s some of the speech you overlooked.”
Comments and Context
Cartoonist Frank S. Bowers knew what he was talking about — or drawing about — in his comment on President Roosevelt’s “Railroad” speech. It was delivered in Indianapolis on Memorial Day, May 30, and attracted widespread attention, which is what the president hoped.
After remarks about subjects appertaining to the solemn national day observance, and about President William McKinley’s widow whose funeral he had attended the day before, Roosevelt launched into a thorough review of of America’s reliance on its rail system, the challenges inherent in expansion and under-capitalization, the malign influence of mergers and rate-fixing, and the undue power of railroad magnates. He specified both the sinister players as he saw them, and a list of reforms — legislative and regulatory — he advocated.
It was a major and lengthy speech, as hyperbolically pictured in the cartoon. The child helping Roosevelt is not meant to represent any of his sons.
Despite Roosevelt’s supposed ego, he was remarkably open to suggestions and changes, even in the most important state papers, speeches, and articles. Friends constantly were amazed that the president would produce drafts — often months in advance of their delivery or publication — for their opinions; and he frequently scrapped his own thoughts and words to incorporate those of others.
Problems with the railroads were, in Roosevelt’s view, a pressing issue. An article that mirrored the speech appeared in the June issue of the influential Review of Reviews magazine.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-05-27
Creator(s)
Bowers, Frank S. (Frank Sherman), 1872-1955
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:
Packing up for Indianapolis. [May 27, 1907]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301548. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Bowers, Frank S. (Frank Sherman), 1872-1955. Packing up for Indianapolis. [27 May. 1907]. Image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301548.
APA:
Bowers, Frank S. (Frank Sherman), 1872-1955., [1907, May 27]. Packing up for Indianapolis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301548.
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. March 5, 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.
