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William H. Taft and J. S. Sherman sit atop the Republican elephant that stands on a washed-out bridge with President Roosevelt. The “Democratic votes” river beneath them is rising as they look at Washington, D.C., in the background. Taft says, “What’s the matter, Teddy?” Roosevelt replies, “Never saw the river so high since Cleveland was elected!!”
Comments and Context
Two days before national balloting for the presidency, Democratic political cartoonists like James Calvert Smith plied their trade, intending to persuade and encourage readers through wishful thinking more than policy prescriptions or party planks. Of course Republican cartoonists were doing the same thing; the practice was old as the profession itself.
But in the Democrats’ case, every poll, survey, and early vote tally pointed to another rout for the Republican Party. So “wishful thinking” on November first was more wishing than thinking; indeed William H. Taft would score a lopsided victory against William Jennings Bryan.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-11-01
Creator(s)
Smith, James Calvert, 1878-1962
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:
Almost there. [November 1, 1908]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301911. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Smith, James Calvert, 1878-1962. Almost there. [1 Nov. 1908]. Image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. August 3, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301911.
APA:
Smith, James Calvert, 1878-1962., [1908, November 1]. Almost there.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o301911.
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. August 3, 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.
