In the Senate chamber at the U.S. Capitol, a large cat with papers tied around its waist labeled “Ship Subsidy Bill” is making a mad dash for a door as senators throw ink pots and books at it while Mark Hanna tries to get them to stop. Senators Vest and Tillman are identified in the foreground as being in opposition to the bill.
comments and context
Comments and Context
There was a sort of “perfect storm” that doomed the Ship Subsidy Bill in 1902. The American shipbuilding industry was thriving on its own and was not in dire need of subsidies. For instance, Germany’s Prince Henry, an admiral, had recently visited the United States to take possession of his American-built yacht Meteor. However, J. P. Morgan, new chief of trusts, including steel, that had interests in building ships and in international oceanbound trade, desired government subsidies. (When Morgan failed to secure American subsidies he shifted his designs to England where, among other moves, he engaged Bruce Ismay to help him purchase the White Star Line, whose ships eventually included Titanic.) Two of the states, and therefore two of the senators, most desirous of shipbuilding subsidies were Pennsylvania and Ohio, which is why Mark Hanna is shown trying to protect the cat in this cartoon. In addition to the logical economic arguments against handouts, and a rising public tide against trusts, there was resentment of Senator Hanna, even from Republican senatorial rivals.
