Closed for repairs

President Roosevelt and Postmaster General Henry C. Payne attempt to scrub the stains of the “Post Office scandal” off the Republican elephant in a tent labeled “G. O. P. The Sacred White Elephant Show.” A “Department of Publicity” megaphone sits on a table outside of the tent.

Comments and Context

The United States Postal Service was traditionally identified with politics — and the basest exercise of politics, as local postmasters and other officials were regarded, and rewarded, as political functionaries more than experts in postal matters. Thousands of jobs were dispensed after elections, and thousands of officials were removed according to parties winning national elections. The opportunities for corruption were multiplied when expanded services, new delivery routes, and proposals for rural delivery were discussed.

There had been major scandals, and calls for reform through the years; and there were gradual reforms. For instance, when Theodore Roosevelt was Commissioner of Civil Service under Presidents Harrison and Cleveland, he succeeded in prosecuting corruption, and expanding merit-based appointments.

An accumulation of typical (and sometimes outrageous) scandals and corrupt practices were revealed in 1903. President Roosevelt was not implicated, but prominent Republicans were (for instance, Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna, chairman of the Republican National Committee). The president moved quickly to rout out corruption, and he was somewhat frustrated by the level of competence of his Postmaster General, Henry C. Payne. Roosevelt empowered men like Charles Bonaparte and Joseph Bristow, whose honesty and efficiency led to their elevation in Roosevelt’s regard and their rise in national (and Progressive) politics.

Cartoonist Rogers cleverly fused several icons and symbols in his drawing, which was for the Democrat New York Herald, so there is an ascription of shady motivations. Beyond that, the Republican elephant is pictured as a circus elephant. The “white elephant” term refers to the Republicans’ legitimate concern of any scandal preceding a nation election. Finally, the double meaning served by “whitewash” implies that a cover-up is afoot.      

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-13

Creator(s)

Rogers, W. A. (William Allen), 1854-1931

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