Cannon, Joseph Gurney, 1836-1926

In the Garden of Eden, God or an angel labeled “The Trusts” points toward an apple tree labeled “The Tariff.” Theodore Roosevelt, as Adam, is crouched behind a fig bush to hide his nakedness, and Eve is standing among palms, her body hidden mostly by long hair labeled “Republican Party.” The figures and faces of various trust magnates and trust-friendly legislators are in bushes and trees throughout the cartoon. Caption: “Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it.” Genesis 2:3

comments and context

Comments and Context

Through the decades, Puck‘s cartoons more than occasionally used Biblical scenes, Shakespearean motifs, and famous operatic moments as the basis of political cartoons. This drawing by Udo J. Keppler is more tortured than most, not due to theology but its political ambiguity. Oddly, Puck and its rival Judge virtually always excoriated the trusts (Puck especially) but occasionally praised them for “administrative efficiency” or “increased employment.” Local and temporary factors — even advertising revenue — might have played roles.

A sword labeled “Nomination” is stuck deeply into a tree, where Theodore Roosevelt and Jacob A. Riis are resting on a large branch. Roosevelt is grinning like the Cheshire cat. On the far right are Albert Baird Cummins and Charles Evans Hughes, and on the left are several other potential candidates for the upcoming presidential election, including Philander C. Knox, Joseph Benson Foraker, Charles W. Fairbanks, Joseph Gurney Cannon, William H. Taft, Albert J. Beveridge, and George B. Cortelyou. Caption: Who is the hero with the strength to draw it out?

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Comments and Context

Cartoonist Udo J. Keppler actually knew, or was virtually assured of the answer to the question posed by his drawing, “Who has the strength to draw it out?” President Roosevelt had been public and persistent in his desire that Secretary of War William H. Taft succeed him. Politicians, reporters, and cartoonists especially, as was their wont and avocation, promoted the possible ambiguity of Roosevelt’s refusal to run again.

Theodore Roosevelt, as a doctor, examines Philander C. Knox, as other potential candidates for the upcoming presidential election await their turn: Charles Evans Hughes, Joseph Benson Foraker, Charles W. Fairbanks, George B. Cortelyou, Joseph Gurney Cannon, [and] William Loeb as a dog. William H. Taft, already examined, has a paper labeled “Passed T.R.” extending from his pocket. On the wall in the background is a chart labeled “The Perfect Man” showing a profile view of Roosevelt.

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Comments and Context

Despite his declaration on election night 1904 that “according to the wise custom” that a president serve only two consecutive terms (not a constitutional stricture until the 1940s after his distant cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt’s fourth election), President Roosevelt contended with the persistent suspicion, or belief, or hope that he would rescind the pledge to retire in 1909.

The “Tariff Reform” ship is mired in a sea of ice, around which are many glaciers in the shape of the heads of Joseph Gurney Cannon, Leslie M. Shaw, Nelson W. Aldrich, and Joseph Benson Foraker. Other glaciers are labeled “Trust” and “Monopoly.” The “Philippine Free Trade” ship has wrecked on a large block of ice labeled “Protected Trust” and only the hull remains. Survivors from “Tariff Reform” drag a sled labeled “Mass. Revisionists” up a mountain labeled “Stand Pat,” toward a rainbow labeled “Fair Trade.”

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Comments and Context

One cartoon can pack a lot of history and details of a vital historical controversy. In this case, cartoonist J. S. Pughe addressed the progress of (or challenges to) tariff reform, which had been a burning political issue for more than a generation in the United States.

Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, Joseph Gurney Cannon, Charles W. Fairbanks, and Leslie M. Shaw all wear dresses for a ball. Roosevelt has selected Taft as the “best belle of the ball” – the best candidate for the Republican Party in the 1908 presidential election.

comments and context

Comments and Context

If his physical characteristics had not provided fodder for cartoonists, William H. Taft might have been lost to history. That is strictly not true, of course; his impressive resume, important achievements in the Roosevelt Administration, and — up to the date of this cartoon by L. M. Glackens — the favor of the president assured his presence in cartoons. After that, caricaturists were merely having fun at his expanse.

A disagreement has broken out among Republicans who were working to construct a tower labeled “Republican Harmony.” They have broken off into small factions clustered around building blocks labeled “Progressivism” with the Republican elephant sitting against it sniffing “Smelling Salts,” “Radicalism” over which “Munsey” and “Woodruff” are engaged in a discussion, “Conservatism” on which President Taft sits gesturing toward “La Follette” who is standing on his head and “Pinchot” trying to make a point to “Barnes” who is facing a diminutive “Job Hedges,” “Standpatism” around which “Cummins, Cannon, Sherman, Penrose, [and] Root” are involved in a heated discussion, and “Meism” upon which Theodore Roosevelt is jumping up and down and gesturing wildly. Others present are “Dixon [and] W.B. McKinley” who appear about to come to blows, as are “Perkins [and] Garfield.” “Lorimer,” wearing a bandage labeled “Vindication,” addresses “Lodge [and] “Gov. Stubbs” and, in the background, on the right, the man standing on a block addressing a crowd may be Charles W. Fairbanks. The few tools visible sit idle. Caption: Sad finish of the Republican tower of Babel.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1912-06-12

The Republican elephant labeled “G.O.P.” is about to drink from a cup labeled “Reciprocity.” With him are several men labeled “Root, Sherman, Cannon, La Follette, Crane, Lodge, Payne, Dick, Gallinger, Penrose” and one unidentified man. Some are distraught, while others are merely watching.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1911-08-09

It appears that Speaker Cannon is the primary opponent against the transfer of the forest reserves to the Department of Agriculture. Gifford Pinchot suggests that President Roosevelt meet with Cannon and Representative Mondell regarding the transfer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-03

Frank G. Bigelow brings to President Roosevelt’s attention an enclosure that should afford Roosevelt “a moments amusement.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-23

Commissioner of Corporations Garfield spoke with Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna regarding the Ohio campaign and believes they will win. Garfield may go to Ohio next month to assist the campaign. Representative Joseph Gurney Cannon has been asked to help out in Ohio and Garfield hopes Cannon can dedicate a week to the campaign. Garfield believes the bookbinders’ union is only receiving formal support from other labor unions in the Miller case.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-21

Mable Francis Cannon LeSeure writes to President Roosevelt to inform him that the letter he sent has been received, and it will be forwarded to Joseph Gurney Cannon as soon as possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-18

William B. Allison writes to President Roosevelt about the meeting Allison had with Senator Cannon. They met regarding an extra session of Congress on the Cuban and currency legislative matters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-19

William B. Allison informs President Roosevelt that he has the telegram from Senator Cannon and will meet with him in Chicago Sunday morning. Allison sends his regards to Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-13

Representative Jenkins writes to President Roosevelt about compelling the Attorney General to file suit against certain railway companies in order to adopt resolutions. Jenkins suggests Roosevelt meet with Joseph Gurney Cannon alone.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-14

James Stillman expresses his opinion concerning the best course that Congress should take concerning currency legislation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-14

Representative J. W. Babcock is recommended to replace House Majority leader Sereno Elisha Payne if he resigns due to failing health.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-05

Representative Jenkins writes to President Roosevelt requesting a meeting with Roosevelt, Representative Cannon, and Senator Hoar to discuss the Trust question.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-07

Representative Littauer discusses financial issues, particularly the issue of a currency based on the United States bank system, railroad securities, and the role of legislation in the financial system.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-30

Representative Littauer describes a discussion he had with Representative Joseph Gurney Cannon of Illinois concerning financial matters. Littauer hopes that Secretary of War Elihu Root will reach an early decision concerning accusations that Littauer benefited from contracts for army gloves that were supplied by a firm of which he was a member.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-27

Ebenezer J. Hill is concerned that Congress will be unable to come to an agreement regarding the “money question” until late in the session, or not at all. He believes Representative Cannon is ready and willing to cooperate. Hill hopes the legislation can be completed early in the session and is willing to provide President Roosevelt with his views on the currency question.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-18