The deciding game for the White House championship

President Roosevelt pushes off the “big stick” and says, “Don’t flinch; don’t foul” as he leans on Timothy L. Woodruff who leans on George Rumsey Sheldon who leans on Secretary of State Elihu Root who leans on J. S. Sherman who leans on Frank H. Hitchcock who ultimately leans on William H. Taft who is fighting against William Jennings Bryan. On the other side William Randolph Hearst pours a “Standard Oil” can and says, “I’ll make ’em slip.” Meanwhile, Norman Edward Mack leans against Herman Ridder who leans against William James Conners who leans against Charles Francis Murphy who leans against John Worth Kern who leans against Bryan. Uncle Sam referees.

comments and context

Comments and Context

It was impressive cartoon that readers of the Brooklyn Eagle beheld in the Election Day edition of the paper. It was, properly, not partisan or biased toward a candidate or party, published as it was on Election Day when political argumentation traditionally ceased.

It was remarkable, too as a tour de force of young Nelson Harding at the beginning of his long career; especially so because his strong suit was not, and never would be, caricature. But the likenesses of so many prominent figures are clear.

As an enduring summary of the campaign’s major players, his drawing unintentionally serves future researchers well. Harding pictured the major candidates and running mates (Republicans Taft and Sherman; Democrats Bryan and Kern), and other consequential actors like President Roosevelt and newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. Hearst’s activity in the drawing can be explained: his September revelations of Standard Oil’s collusion with compromised politicians was a bombshell in the campaign. Officials of both parties were exposed, but Harding clearly affirms the common suspicion that Hearst meant to target Democrats more.

Minor figures and transitory players also are depicted; among them are the treasurers of their parties’ national committees: Republican George Rumsey Sheldon; and Democrat Herman Ridder, who hastily had been installed when Charles Nathaniel Haskell was tainted by the letters stolen and published by Hearst.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-03

Creator(s)

Harding, Nelson, -1944

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