Your TR Source
President Roosevelt sleeps as he is surrounded by a number of dreams about reelection, the Panama Canal, Tammany Hall, business and labor, and trusts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12
This cartoon summarizes a number of important political events in 1903, including presidential and vice presidential aspirations, the Panama Canal, Tammany Hall, equal rights, and the Post Office scandal. President Roosevelt is in the center with his gun in his hands and his foot on a dead “graft” bear.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11
President Roosevelt holds “the strenuous life” bag as he carries a large man labeled “Congress” with “financial legislation,” “Cuba,” “labor,” and “the trusts” papers in his pockets.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11
On the left side of the cartoon, President Abraham Lincoln takes off the shackles of an African American man and holds the “Declaration of Independence.” On the right side, President Roosevelt gestures to the “U.S. Govt Printing” office to a man who is kneeling at his feet. Roosevelt holds a portion of one of his letters that reads, “In the employment and dismissal of men in the government service I can no more recognize the fact that a man does or does not belong to a union as being for or against him than I can recognize the fact he is a Protestant or Catholic, a Jew or a Gentile, as being for or against him.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11
A woman holding a “Mother Jones” sign and a “labor problem” pitchfork rides a Republican elephant that rings the doorbell at President Roosevelt’s gate at Sagamore Hill. A sign reads, “Sagamore Hill: Positively no admission, except by invitation. T. R.” There are various signs attached to the elephant: “Ohio sandstone ring,” “postal scandal,” “Littauer glove scandal,” and “custom house frauds.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-29
Ohio Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna stands on a “ship subsidy” and holds “my defence of labor” as he attempts to use the Republican elephant’s trunk as a phone, saying, “Central! Hello! Central!” The elephant looks at President Roosevelt who waves, bearing “stories,” “speeches,” “interviews,” and “specimens” and says, “Ah there, Teddy!”
Luther Bradley’s cartoon refers to the publicized and futile efforts of Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna to make himself relevant to the broader Republican Party at this time, reaching beyond his base as a senator still identified with his ally, the late President William McKinley, and as chairman of the Republican National Committee. He was engaged in an ill-concealed and delicate campaign to wrest the 1904 presidential nomination from the incumbent, Theodore Roosevelt.
That ambition was being thwarted at the time of this cartoon’s publication, but Bradley correctly identified the gambits employed by Hanna. He was, for instance, heavily indebted to shipbuilding interests who potentially were campaign contributors (Ohio ports on Lake Erie were centers of steel manufacturing and ship construction). The cartoon’s acknowledgement of Hanna’s earnest attempts to prove himself a “friend of labor” is ironic since he largely lives in history by portrayals of another caricaturist, Homer Davenport. The Hearst cartoonist frequently pictured “Dollar Mark” Hanna as a bloated plutocrat with his foot on skull of “Labor.”
President Roosevelt sits on “the dinner pail” with a big stick that has the label of “editor” and a book opened up to two pages: “The Outlook” and “The pen is mightier than the big stick.” He wears a “labor” hat. John Mitchell and Samuel Gompers look up, “I wonder would he pay his fine, or go to jail?”
Cartoonist Edward Joseph McBride seemingly makes a point about Theodore Roosevelt’s choice of a post-presidential profession, somewhat sarcastically implying that a magazine editor is in the ranks of a laboring man, or least a potential union member. Of course Roosevelt had written for many publications previous to, and during, his presidency; and surely would be a salaried executive, not an hourly employee, as contributing editor of The Outlook magazine.
President Roosevelt hands “Congress” three balls and points at the toys labeled “corrupt politics,” “island possessions,” “labor questions,” “waterways,” “legislative obstructions,” “disease microbes,” “national waste,” “swollen fortunes,” “dishonest wealth,” “unjust judges,” “inadequate wages,” and “inheritance tax.”
After a day to absorb President Roosevelt’s Annual Message, which would be the last of his presidency, Jay N. “Ding” Darling offered his readers, and posterity, a cartoon-capsule summary of its contents. Typical of the cartoonist’s clarity, the main topics of the president’s lengthy message are depicted, and — an important component of the cartoon — it is not Uncle Sam, nor an iconic figure representing “the public,” who is addressed by the barker Roosevelt, but the Congress.
William Jennings Bryan, riding a donkey, and President Roosevelt and William H. Taft, riding an elephant, tug on the arms of the “labor vote.”
To the extent there was a “Labor Vote” in 1908 it was indeed a target of both parties, and it began in an important way to trend Democrat. Previously, union members, a growing percentage of laborers, were attracted to Socialist candidates or Democrats. In the latter case it was as much suspicion and hostility toward corporations, trusts, and “Eastern financial interests” as affection for Democratic policies.
President Roosevelt begins to chop down the “Bryanism” tree with branches of “bank guaranty law,” “radicalism,” “government ownership of railroads,” and “sensational issues.” A cat or raccoon that has the face of William Jennings Bryan is trapped up in the tree. On the ground are several wood chips: “Standard Oil controversy,” “Define your attitude toward labor.–T.R.,” and “Haskell incident.”
This cartoon possibly was drawn by a young Frank Godwin, who was born in Washington, D.C., to a newspaperman father. Frank was 15 (four years before this cartoon’s publication) when he secured his first job as an artist. He lived around Philadelphia, and in New Jersey, most of his life.
President Roosevelt sits in several different rooms in the “White House”: “sporting editor,” “dramatic critic,” “editorial rooms,” “managing editor,” “editor and general manager,” and “press room.” Three Roosevelts rush out of the press room with newspapers: “Extra Extra: Roosevelt declares for Taft,” “Extra Extra: Roosevelt is 50 years old today–scares Bryan,” and “Later Extra: Roosevelt cracks the labor nut.” A sign is displayed on the front porch of the White House: “The Hourly Message Office. T. Roosevelt, Editor.”
Less than a week before election day, political cartoonist Camillus Kessler had a funny take on President Roosevelt’s strenuous life as an advocate for the Republican ticket headed by William H. Taft. Roosevelt’s hyperactivity — his usual mode anyway — could be attributed to his normal insecurity about election contests, but also his frustration with Taft as an active campaigner; and his desire to assert and preserve his own legacy.
Uncle Sam shows President Roosevelt and William H. Taft a paper that reads, “How about this? Judge Taft’s decisions against labor.” Caption: Uncle Sam–“No, Teddy, He Won’t Do!”
In a vague manner — but probably intentionally — this cartoon by “Scar” (Alonzo W. Scarborough) is reminiscent of Homer Davenport’s iconic cartoon of Uncle Sam and President Roosevelt, “He’s Good Enough For me.”
William H. Taft fishes near “Put in Bay” as a variety of fish pop out of the water: “popular vote for Senators,” “the tariff question,” “labor,” and “prohibition.” A can labeled “letter of acceptance” sits on top of Taft’s boat.
The oddly named Put-In-Bay, where William H. Taft took a breath before commencing vigorous campaigning for the presidency — such as he did — is the setting of this cartoon by W. A. Rogers. It presented an opportunity to depict marine life as cartoon symbols for the challenges and dangers of the upcoming campaign. The small town on the small Lake Erie island of South Bass was actually a strategic naval port used by Admiral Oliver Hazard Perry during the War of 1812. From the bay American ships hid to surprise and destroy British naval ships. As the British lost their fleet of six ships, they lost control of Lake Erie, shifting the course of that aspect of the war. Perry’s famous words arose from that battle, “Don’t give up the ship” and “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”
President Roosevelt places a “my policies” crown on William H. Taft who holds Roosevelt’s big stick. In the background is a man labeled “labor” and a newsboy who cries, “Extra! Extra! Democrats gain 32 per cent in Maine election!” Roosevelt says, “A stauncher friend labor never had.”
The awkwardly designed and executed cartoon by Edward Joseph McBride was similarly obscure about its point, beyond what probably was the wishful thinking of the cartoonist and his newspaper — that President Roosevelt and his putative successor William H. Taft were oblivious to the concerns of, and the electoral threats posed by, the labor vote in 1908.
“Hot air” comes out of the “Rep. National Committee” as a bright sun in the shape of President Roosevelt’s face shines. A Republican elephant with “Standard Oil exposure” tied to its tail and “my policies” tied to one leg kicks Senator Joseph Benson Foraker. Foraker says, “I got mine, boys.” On the side is a “steamroller” and Frank H. Hitchcock, who has a “big can” tied to his suit, running away and saying, “I’m the original fall guy.” J. S. Sherman uses a net to attempt to capture a “vice presidency” bug and says, “I’ve got it!” while Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon stands on a stump, holding a “gag rule” gavel and a “Speech in Kansas,” and says, “And no one can boss me, d—n it.” Finally, William H. Taft rides Roosevelt’s big stick in circles and says, “I’m the heir to the Roosevelt policies and the best friend labor ever had.”
In a genre drawing that might have made Breughel, or Bosch, seem modest, political cartoonist Edward McBride dipped his pen in venom as well as ink, and indicted a panoply of Republicans during the campaign of 1908. There is more malice than logic in the representations, and many characters are depicted engaged in pursuits that seem ad hominem.
President Roosevelt, for instance, is the sun warming the whole scene, and (presumably) cursing despite his toothy grin. Most of the drawings are self-explanatory, but a couple notes might be helpful. Senator Joseph Foraker of Ohio had recently been scorched by revelations from purloined letters in the Standard Oil files of corruption between the senator and the corporation. The exposure damaged his campaign for reelection.
“H. Giveaway Davis” holds a “Western Union telegram” that reads, “Democratic National Convention.” Meanwhile, President Roosevelt stands by a wall that reads, “sound finances—honesty in public service—courage to do right—protection to American labor—respect for the flag at home & abroad—fair play for capital and labor—punishment for every grafter.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-24
President Roosevelt stands in front of several pictures of himself, the “trusts,” and the Republican elephant with the title, “in the same frame & same game.” A picture of “Fairy Bank” is below. Roosevelt stands on the “Constitution” and “Declaration of Independence” and wears a “big stick” saber and “Baron Littauer’s brand” gloves. Two ultimatums are in his belt. To his left is his “letter of acceptance” that includes a number of statements, “signed — ‘we’ per ‘I.'”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-24
A family rides in a “labor G.O.P.” box on an elephant as a “hard times” wolf tries to reach them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-10
Uncle Sam points to three “Republican policy” blocks: “sound finance,” “commerce at home and abroad,” and “industries.” Over top of the blocks are three headings: “$700,000,” “For the world’s peace,” and “Prosperity.” Caption: Uncle Sam—With facts like these, the result of Republican rule, who wants a change? Not I!
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-12
This newspaper article speculates on potential candidates for the position of Postmaster of New York City, and endorses Marcus M. Marks as a strong candidate. Marks, the article argues, is a successful businessman and does not need the income from the position, which would allow him to make the necessary changes to the institution that would benefit the population as a whole, instead of working only for his own interests. Marks has experience re-establishing the National Clothiers’ Association of America, and of creating good labor relations between employers and employees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-01