President Roosevelt writes on a “Defi to Congress” as he also looks at a man holding a “dandy” gun, who asks, “Can’t I sell you one of our dandy guns?” A “rebuke from Congress” missile flies behind Roosevelt near a copy of the “N. Y. World” that Roosevelt is hitting with “the big stick” thanks to “spanking machine” that he is operating with his left foot. “Bill possum” chases a “teddy bear” near Roosevelt’s feet, and there are “Ananias Club tickets,” a “message,” and “98-mile ride” boots on the ground. Roosevelt uses his right foot to send a “wire to California.” He holds a “pat. gladhander” in his left hand as he shakes hands with a “big game hunter,” an “office hunter” and a “prize fighter.” A phonograph plays “Delighted, delighted” on it. Meanwhile, a man carries out a mattress and sings, “Moving day.” Caption: With only a few weeks more in which to finish up his work.
comments and context
Comments and Context
For two presidential terms political cartoonists of all persuasions had dutifully drawn cartoons trying to capture the omnivorous activities of the polymath in the White House; Theodore Roosevelt as cognoscente, strenuously pursuing interests and guests of all sorts. Willis H. Thorndike of the Baltimore American would have been one of the last, in the last weeks of the Roosevelt presidency, and he covered many areas of the president’s activity (or hyperactivity) — almost a compendium of minor issues and passing disputes.
