Battering rams

Two strong men labeled “Labor” and “Commerce” use a battering ram labeled “Tariff Reform” to knock down a door in a building flying a banner for “High Protection.” A frightened man, labeled “Protected Trust” and wearing a crown, is looking over the wall.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The deeper meaning behind Keppler’s straightforward message is his choice of labels. “Tariff Reform” indicates that Puck, editorially, was not advocating for free trade as some Populists and Bryan followers in the Democratic party did. The same point is made in the specific phrase in the caption “…in the hands of the right men.”

Former President Theodore Roosevelt and Senator George E. Chamberlain use a battering ram, identified as “Republican drive,” to try to open the door to President Woodrow Wilson’s office. A sign on the office door indicates that the war council is meeting and that there is no admittance.

Comments and Context

Although a Democrat, Senator Chamberlain was a longtime ally and frequent supporter of Roosevelt and his policies. Both men sought to oppose President Wilson’s policies during World War I. Chamberlain served on the Military Affairs Committee and helped draft the Selective Service Act. 

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

A hapless army of clergymen assaults a fortress labeled “Non-Sectarian Institution” around a building labeled “House of Refuge” with a battering ram labeled “Freedom of Worship Bill.” One bishop is carrying a military standard labeled “In hoc signo vinces” (In this sign you will conquer) that shows a ballot box labeled “Irish Vote.” Defending the ramparts are newspaper editors, including Puck. In the middle distance is a building labeled “Public School” and in the background, atop a hill, is a statue labeled “Constitution” that states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1885-04-22

A smug-looking Humpty Dumpty labeled “Increased Cost of Living” sits on a stone wall labeled “Corners in Food Stuffs, Graft Tariff, Gambling in Futures, Cold-Storage Abuses, High Tariff Rates, Private Monopoly, Middle-Man Extortion, Waste of Natrual Resouces, Parasite Profits, [and] Unearned Incomes.” At the base of the wall a large group of citizens strike the wall with a battering ram labeled “The Ballot.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1910-01-26