Cartoon in the Washington Star

President Roosevelt holds an “executive order” and a “classified service” umbrella to keep dry from the dark clouds of “political patronage.” Over a dozen “fourth class postmasters” run toward him as two “congressmen” look surprised.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The day prior to this cartoon’s publication — and, significantly, while Congress was recessed — President Roosevelt signed an executive order for the classification by competition of all fourth-class postmasters in fourteen states between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River, an area containing more than half of the United States population, and approximately a third of all such postmaster positions. That group of employees comprised one of American politics’ richest caches of patronage jobs, a source of influence and power for politicians.

Roosevelt assiduously had worked step by step, category of job by classifications of service, through the bureaucracy and especially in the Post Office, since he chaired the United States Civil Service Commission, commencing under President Benjamin Harrison in 1889.

In the early days of his administration he fought publicized battles with entrenched officials and solons against corruptions in the Post Office; and in this, the waning days of his tenure, he made this bold step in continuation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-02

Creator(s)

Berryman, Clifford Kennedy, 1869-1949

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