In the first section of this cartoon, President Roosevelt hits a woman labeled the “Republican side of Congress” with his “Secret Service” message big stick. He says, “I’ll teach you that I’m boss here.” In the second section, the woman takes her “rebuke” broom and hits Roosevelt on the head. She says, “You’ll hit a lady, will you?” New York Representative William F. Willett watches from the doorway and says, “De lady needs help.” In the third cartoon, Roosevelt goes to hit the woman with his big stick again, saying, “I’ll fix you for that.” Willett punches Roosevelt in the face: “Gargoyle, unhand dat lady.” In the fourth cartoon, the woman holds a broom and watches Willett with stars around his head. She says, “Wretch, how dare you interfere in a little family affair.” Willett says, “Dat’s like a woman all right.”
comments and context
Comments and Context
The Boston Record provided posterity with a facet of the explosive Secret Service controversy between President Roosevelt and the Congress of the United States. What began as a presidential request that Congress expand the charter, duties, and budget of the Secret Service beyond protecting the president and chasing counterfeiters. Changing conditions in American life required a federal agency that could conduct investigations. Congress summarily refused Roosevelt’s request — actually the proposal and dismissal became a virtual cycle — and there was an escalation of earnest rhetoric, intemperance, imputations of corrupt motives, insults, and finally, in Congress, interminable angry debates and a resolution of censure.
