Mr. Roosevelt doesn’t want newspaper men to follow him to Africa

In the first section of the cartoon, President Roosevelt holds a “cablegram” from the “Atlantic Cable Co.” that reads, “Mr. Roosevelt killed an elephant. Roosevelt ($6.00),” as he gestures to the African standing behind him for his gun. There are large footprints in the ground. Caption: Special Correspondent Roosevelt–“Ha! I have a tip that Mr. Roosevelt is about to slay an elephant. It’ll make a hot story.” In the second section, Roosevelt holds “cable blanks” in one hand and his gun in his other hand as he follows the tracks. The African says, “I feel the sleeping sickness getting me!” Caption: “Now for a scoop!” In the third section, Roosevelt stumbles upon reporters from “The Sun” and “The World”. They say, “Fire when you are ready, Mr. Roosevelt.” The elephant is sweating profusely and leans on a tree. Caption: “Dee–lighted!”

comments and context

Comments and Context

With only a month and two days remaining in the term of Theodore Roosevelt, the cartoonists of America were not about to lose the last opportunities to depict their peripatetic president, nor milk the last drops of comic speculations about his African safari — especially when Roosevelt announced that he would allow no press coverage.

It seemed hardly possible that the perennial headline inhabitant Roosevelt would resist publicity for a year, but it became the truth, as the hunter-naturalist fiercely asserted his wish that no reporters, photographers, nor cartoonists attempt pursuit or coverage.

Cartoonist Ralph Wilder, in his best cloning of John T. McCutcheon’s style, succeeded in finding a comic element in the situation. His three-tier cartoon portrayed Roosevelt (who was, after all, a prolific writer and who contracted to write articles and a book about his exploits) as a schizophrenic who actively hunted yet, referring to himself in the third person, would arrange his own dispatches. In the cartoon’s twist ending, it is all for naught as Roosevelt ultimately is met by members of the press who had been in hiding. It should be noted, too, Wilder’s humorous inclusion of men from the World and the Sun, two of the papers who were then needling the president with accusations about the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-01

Creator(s)

Wilder, Ralph, 1875-1924

Language

English

Period

U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)

Repository

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

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