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“Let the gold dust twins do your work”

“Let the gold dust twins do your work”

Nelson W.Aldrich and John D. Rockefeller appear as dark-skinned men wearing skirts labeled “Gold Dust.” Aldrich stands on top of a replica of a building labeled “Stock Exchange” and holds up a replica of the U.S. Capitol building. Rockefeller stands on the ground next to him, holding up an oil can labeled “Standard Oil” and a wallet stuffed with money. Uncle Sam stands to the left, in the foreground, stroking his beard, with a concerned look on his face. Caption: (You might as well, Uncle. They’ll do it, anyway.)

comments and context

Comments and Context

The seemingly curious depiction of Senator Nelson W. Aldrich and Standard Oil’s John D. Rockefeller as little native boys is explained by the background of the cartoon. This was a parody of the popular, now obscure, brand of cleansing powder, Gold Dust Cleanser. Cartoonist J. S. Pughe clearly thought that calling the Senator and the tycoon “twins” was dispositive — and the implication presented by the word “gold.” The composition of the drawing is taken straight from a Gold Dust magazine advertisement drawn by E. W. Kemble, an occasional Puck cartoonist.

The headsman

The headsman

A large man wearing a red outfit, labeled “The Senate,” holds an axe above his head. He is about to chop a legislative bill, shown as rolled-up papers, labeled “Progressive Legislation.” Other bills, some labeled “Tariff Revision, R.R. Rate Bill, State Hood, [and] Pure Food Bill,” await their turns on the chopping block.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The United States Senate as Grand Executioner is how Puck its cartoonist J. S. Pughe held the Upper House, and in the context of “progressive legislation,” the cover drawing is dispositive.

“Et tu, Brute!”

“Et tu, Brute!”

Rudyard Kipling holds a pen labeled “Criticism” which he is using as a prod to get the British Lion moving in a particular direction. Caption: The British Lion [“]I didn’t mind the others, Rudyard; but I never thought you’d be prodding me!”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Rudyard Kipling likely was the prototypical British colonial advocate in literature and in public affairs of his day. His feelings were heavily tempered by realism and a recognition that England was overreaching on the world stage, and in good part by faulty administration and training of its military. Toward the end of the Boer War his statements and short stories addressed the weak premises and performances of South African policies. In 1902, three short stories in particular gave voice to his revisionist thinking: “The Captive,” “The Islanders,” and “The Comprehension of Private Copper.” Kipling’s legacy in history does not always reflect his maturing attitudes. It is interesting to note that his friend Theodore Roosevelt, after emerging from the African jungles and a safari of almost a year, delivered his first major speech of several in Africa and Europe, on precisely these points: it was somewhat startling at the time. In Cairo, he lectured British colonial personnel about what he saw as flawed administration; he said, in effect, that England should administer its colonies well, including more to the benefit of the occupied lands, or withdraw.

A new uniform and new responsibilities

A new uniform and new responsibilities

President Roosevelt takes over the duties of president following the assassination of President McKinley. He is standing in an office, holding a paper labeled “McKinley’s Policy.” His Rough Rider uniform hangs on the wall behind him. Caption: May he honor the new as he did the old!

comments and context

Comments and Context

The subtext of this cartoon is not merely a hope that as President, Theodore Roosevelt will be a sober executive compared to the exuberant soldier, or cowboy, of lore. No matter how jingoistic the public generally was, or how satisfied with a successful war effort and new territories, it was recognized that President William McKinley had been a reluctant warrior. Dalrymple seemed to wish that Roosevelt would be as much statesman as soldier in the White House.   

The President paints a picture at Charleston

The President paints a picture at Charleston

Cartoon shows President Roosevelt with a paint brush and his finished work of art: Uncle Sam plowing a field with two horses and a plow. The horses are labeled “Combination of Capital” and “Labor Combine.” Uncle Sam is holding reins titled “Regulation by Law.” Cartoon is regarding government regulation of industry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-10

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Martin J. Gillen

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Martin J. Gillen

Theodore Roosevelt tells Martin J. Gillen that his plan is interesting, but that he is not prepared to comment upon it in detail. Roosevelt feels there would have to be efficient governmental supervision of those who worked “on honor,” necessitating a large increase in the governmental force available for such supervision. Roosevelt tells Gillen he has purposely avoided advocating any specific plan in his public speeches, because what is really needed is “the creation of popular sentiment which will insist that the government itself take action.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-10-18

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Elihu Root

In order to be able to give comprehensive information to the Senate, President Roosevelt asks Secretary of State Root to send him information pertinent to the subjects brought up in the Aldrich resolution, especially any needs related to detective services and provisions for such within the department.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-22

Letter from Francis B. Loomis to William Loeb

Letter from Francis B. Loomis to William Loeb

Francis B. Loomis forgot to mention in his letter to William Loeb that if President Roosevelt wishes, the investors will increase the capital of the Union Construction Co. Walston H. Brown is sending a memorandum which will help the President dispose of “the canal problem.” Loomis hopes to see Loeb and his wife before long.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-16