The prodigal son who did not come home broke

President Roosevelt returns home to Washington, D.C., to shake Uncle Sam’s hand. Roosevelt brings a horse that carries many items, including “indorsement of Ohio,” presents, a silver plate, and a miner’s pan.

Comments and Context

This humorous political cartoon celebrated President Theodore Roosevelt’s return from an extensive “swing” through the northern plains states, the Pacific Northwest, California, the Midwest — as well as stops at Cheyenne’s Pioneers days and at Yellowstone Park and the Grand Canyon. It portrays a welcoming Uncle Sam, representing a grateful nation; and offers a multitude of the president’s accomplishments, visits, and controversies accumulated during his trip.

The cartoonist was Tom May of the Detroit Journal, no relation to Ole May of Pittsburgh and Cleveland, with whom he is sometimes confused. Their styles were not similar, and neither their politics; Tom May leaned Republican, Ole May toward the Democrats.

Tom May was very influential in his day, and his work frequently was reprinted in other newspapers and in magazines. He and his cartoons — many of which had thematic preoccupations of poor gamins and pathetic urban situations — contributed to the establishment of the “Old Newsboys Goodfellows,” a charity movement consisting of, and benefiting, street children. The movement, which spread to other cities in Michigan and the Midwest, still exists.      

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-06

Creator(s)

May, Thomas (Tom) 1860-

Language

English

Period

U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)

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