To resign or not to resign
Subject(s): Cabinet officers, Cannon, Joseph Gurney, 1836-1926, Fairbanks, Charles W. (Charles Warren), 1852-1918, Hughes, Charles Evans, 1862-1948, Knox, Philander C. (Philander Chase), 1853-1921, La Follette, Robert M. (Robert Marion), 1855-1925, Presidents--Election, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930, Uncle Sam (Symbolic character)
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Secretary of War William H. Taft sits at his desk filled with “official business” papers as the shades of Uncle Sam and President Roosevelt stand behind him. Roosevelt points out the window at cannons firing for Wisconsin Senator Robert M. La Follette, Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks, Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon, Philander C. Knox, New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, and the most for Taft.
Comments and Context
More than two months before the Republican National Convention convened to nominate a presidential cabinet, cartoonist Joseph Harry Cunningham of the Washington Herald presumed that William H. Taft would be the party’s choice; as did most of the country.
On the basis of that presumption, the cartoon well pictured the real dilemma facing the Secretary of War — how to divide his attention, split his duties, and attend to different demands on him? The cartoonist used icons — the hubbub outside the window, the presence of Uncle Sam and President Roosevelt to represent national duty and political responsibilities, respectively — and a clearly anxious face of Taft to illustrate the situation.
As it turned out, the convention adjourned on June 19, having nominated Taft; and he resigned his cabinet position eleven days later — either dedicated to his tasks in the War Department, or hedging his bets.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-04-18
Creator(s)
Cunningham, Joseph Harry, 1865-1946
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:
To resign or not to resign. [April 18, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301726. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Cunningham, Joseph Harry, 1865-1946. To resign or not to resign. [18 Apr. 1908]. Image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301726.
APA:
Cunningham, Joseph Harry, 1865-1946., [1908, April 18]. To resign or not to resign.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301726.
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.
