Flies

Nelson W. Aldrich appears as a large spider on a cobweb labeled “Senate Committee Room” spread between the U.S. Capitol and a “Standard Oil” tower, on which several flies labeled “Anti-Trust Bill, Free Alcohol Bill, House Bill, Philippine Tariff Bill, [and] Legislation Needed” have landed.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Nelson W. Aldrich was not the most senior member of the United States Senate, but by wily tactics, ability, and connections he clearly was the most powerful in the Republican-dominated Upper House during the administration of President Roosevelt. From his chairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee he managed to affect virtually every piece of legislation that passed (or did not) through the Senate.

Having recently visited East Africa, Anglo-Irish writer Moreton Frewen shares insights with President Roosevelt, including locations where big game gathers, the presence of insects, and people to contact.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-08-17

Print shows Admiral George Dewey carrying a suitcase labeled “Dewey U.S.A.,” and coming ashore where he is beset by gnats carrying signs that state, “Write us a soap advertisement, This house you can’t use but please accept it (Brooklyn Eagle), Invitation to attend county fair, Request for autograph, Invitation to dinner, Nomination for President, Proposal of marriage, Request to lecture, [and] Write us a war story.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1899-06-21

“Butler Fly-Paper Prepared only by Blaine, Elkins, & Co.,” to which flies do not stick, lies on a plate on a table. Stephen B. Elkins, standing in the background, is drinking from a bottle labeled “Star Route Syrup $.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1884-10-15

A large spider labeled “Flim Flam Finance,” with a disgruntled look on its face, sits on a cobweb labeled “Wall Street,” looking at a bunch of flies labeled “The Public” hovering just beyond the cobweb, mocking the spider.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1913-01-22

A spider labeled “Interstate Commerce Commission” has caught in its web labeled “The Law” a large fly labeled “Harriman.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

As the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) recently had been empowered with teeth — or, in Udo J. Keppler’s cartoon analogy, pincers and a fuller ability to weave webs — it really was unknown whether the railroad trusts or government regulators would prevail in the early showdowns.

Uncle Sam, as a knight on horseback, carries a lance labeled “Anti-Fly Crusade.” He is charging toward a gigantic fly emerging from a container with a small child at its feet. Caption: A challenge to that greatest of public enemies, the disease-breeding fly.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1912-05-15