They do say that Auntie wanted a new one this year, but William wouldn’t let her have it
Subject(s): Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Clothing and dress, Democracy, Republican elephant (Symbolic character), Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
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William H. Taft sits beside a well-dressed Republican elephant who says, “Poor girl! She’s been making over that same old hat ever since I can remember.” William Jennings Bryan sits beside an older lady labeled “democracy” and “Bryanism,” who says, “Gra-cious! Now aren’t those new styles just the limit!” Bryan scowls and says, “Fierce!”
Comments and Context
Jay N. “Ding” Darling’s drawing style was starting to mature at the time this cartoon was published, but his concepts were clever and incisive from the start.
Three points may be taken from this cartoon. It appeared in mid-April, 1908, two months before the Republican presidential nominating convention; yet the portrayal of Taft, and for that matter Bryan, neither of whom had yet been nominated, tells us that the political dust had settled. Taft and Bryan were the putative nominees.
The caption might be a little confusing — both men had the first name of William. But the Democrat William is referred to; Old Maid Democracy is more jealous than dismissive of the fancy hat next to her.
Another interesting note is that Auntie Democracy needs Ding’s label “Bryanism,” despite Bryan sitting right there; but although Taft was being presented to the public as the legatee of the Roosevelt policies, the elephant’s hat bears no descriptive label.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-04-19
Creator(s)
Darling, Jay N. (Jay Norwood), 1876-1962
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:
They do say that Auntie wanted a new one this year, but William wouldn’t let her have it. [April 19, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301729. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Darling, Jay N. (Jay Norwood), 1876-1962. They do say that Auntie wanted a new one this year, but William wouldn’t let her have it. [19 Apr. 1908]. Image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301729.
APA:
Darling, Jay N. (Jay Norwood), 1876-1962., [1908, April 19]. They do say that Auntie wanted a new one this year, but William wouldn’t let her have it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301729.
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.
