Worse than none
Edward Morse Shepard, with papers extending from his back pocket labeled “Reform” and “Tammany,” stands in front of an old woman labeled “Democracy” who is holding a piece of paper labeled “Bryan’s Recommendation.” She is turning him down, just as the New York City voters did in the mayoral election. Caption: Miss Democracy — You must have a better reference than this, Mr. Shepard, if I’m to consider you.
Comments and Context
Edward Morse Shepard, unfortunately, was typical of New York Democrats in the age of Tammany Hall, the pendulum-swings of reform and corruption, the internecine New York Democrat fights between rural and New York City factions, the influence of Bryanism on local loyalties, and such. Shepard was a reform Democrat from Brooklyn (and then New York City after consolidation in 1897) who occasionally allied himself with Citizens Union and Republican reformer Seth Low. Within New York Democracy (that is, the Democratic Party) in 1902 an endorsement from William Jennings Bryan was not necessarily a golden recommendation. Shepard never attained a major nomination for mayor or governor; he got closest in a gubernatorial convention in 1911. The Democrat convention was deadlocked for 74 days, after which a Shepard opponent was nominated. Shepard died a few weeks afterward.
