Chancellor Day had better be ready to dodge something

James Roscoe Day holds an umbrella as he looks toward the White House. In his back pocket is a “copy of interview attacking Roosevelt.” A storm cloud and lightning appear from the White House with the following note: “Washington, D.C.–It is reported that Chancellor Day’s name was mentioned at yesterday’s cabinet meeting.” In the background are three men running away.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Despite President Roosevelt’s popularity with the general public, and by all accounts with Republican voters, he faced significant opposition from a portion of professional politicians within his party. In many ways the story of his second-term successes is also a story of continual, determined, and often skillful warfare against fellow Republicans. Some policy victories were won in spite of his own party’s congressional leaders. They proudly called themselves the Old Guard and adopted “Stand Pat” as a battle cry against Roosevelt’s reforms. Some — like Roosevelt’s predecessor as Republic governor of New York, Frank Swett Black — identified themselves as opponents of the Square Deal, and claimed the label of “reactionary.”

The Republican resistance was not limited to elected politicians. Leaders in the field of education placed themselves in prominent apposite roles. Nicholas Murray Butler, once a friend and ally, expressed earnest disappointment with Roosevelt’s annual message in early 1908, clearly breaking with his old friend. Rather than seeking a rapprochement, Roosevelt effectively ended their association. Fours later, Butler’s opposition was so well known that he was named as President William H. Taft’s running mate when Vice President J. S. Sherman died during the campaign.

Another such prominent academic was James Roscoe Day, Chancellor of Syracuse University. He criticized Roosevelt and his policies early, often, and quite publicly in speeches and even a book, The Raid on Prosperity (1907). The interview referenced in Ralph Wilder’s cartoon was a harshly toned speech that particularly attacked the program Roosevelt outlined in his Annual Message. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-09-30

Creator(s)

Wilder, Ralph, 1875-1924

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