Puck, v. 64, no. 1656 | - Theodore Roosevelt Center

Some things Mr. Bryan might do

Vignettes offer several possibilities for employment for William Jennings Bryan, of whom it is supposed he will retire from politics after losing yet another presidential election. The main possibility is that the Democratic donkey be donated to Central Park with Bryan as its keeper, offering donkey rides to children. Other options are acting as Bottom in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream; touring the arctic where he warms the region with the hot air of his oratory; becoming the museum curator of his own “Bryan Musee” dusting such objects as a “Gold Bug,” a “Crown of Thorns,” a “Cross of Gold,” an “Imperial Crown,” a “Filipino,” an “Octopus,” and a “16 to 1” medallion; or to go big-game hunting with Theodore Roosevelt where disputes are likely to arise over who actually bagged the game.

Comments and Context

Puck‘s now-routine genre cartoon — double-page spreads on humorous themes or only mild political commentary, not advocacy — fairly jumped on the question of what William Jennings would do in retirement, after having lost the recent presidential context.

Oliver Twist asks for more

A large, bloated man labeled “Tariff-made Monopoly,” holds a small dish labeled “Dingley Schedule,” and asks Uncle Sam, standing next to a large fireplace with a large cauldron labeled “Protection,” for another helping. Caption: Representative Sereno E. Payne, who will have charge of the Tariff bill on the floor of the House, does not know whether the people declared for radical or moderate revision of the Tariff on election day.–The Sun.

Comments and Context

Udo J. Keppler’s cover cartoon provides a brilliant historical legacy in that it succinctly illustrated a vital and unsettled political issue of the day; but it also represents the virtual seeds of a controversial situation that helped undo the Taft Administration.