Municipal government

In the “Governor’s room,” Theodore Roosevelt holds a large paper of “reform bills” that New York Governor Grover Cleveland signs. On the ground is a book of “law and order” and a newspaper that reads, “Cincinnati: The court, judges, and juries denounced by the people. Riots, blood, troops.” On the wall is a picture of Lady Justice, blindfolded and holding a scale and a sword; and a larger crest of a landscape with the word “reform” and “excelsior,” or ever onward, on it; all forming the Seal of the State of New York.

comments and context

Comments and Context

This cartoon by Thomas Nast in Harper’s Weekly, published April 19, 1884, is one of the most significant, and fateful, of the thousands that were drawn during his life. It was not the first, but among the very first, of his career. It illustrates the remarkable fact that his rapid emergence in New York State politics did not so much precede as parallel the notice he received on the national scene.

A towering figure with three heads – of Charles F. Murphy, Michael “Hinky Dink” Kenna, and Israel W. Durham, political bosses respectively of New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia – places a medal labeled “Bossism” around its large neck. Papers sticking out of Murphy’s pockets are labeled “Patronage, Contracts, Graft, [and] Jobs.” Caption: Are we ready for it?

comments and context

Comments and Context

The point of J. S. Pughe’s cover cartoon in Puck is not the mere corruption that surrounded big-city political bosses in 1905. The bosses’ venality was a given.

A depressed old man wearing formal clothing sits on the sidewalk on small railroad cars labeled “Street Railways.” In his pocket is a paper labeled “Expiring Franchises” and protruding from a bag another paper labeled “Leases.” A bundle at his feet is labeled “Boodle.” Mayor of Chicago, Edward F. Dunne, is standing in the background with a broom.

comments and context

Comments and Context

This brilliant cartoon by Joseph Keppler Junior — in composition, simplicity, and humor the kind of work that enabled some readers to forget his cartoonist father — would be dispositive if published two years later. That is, the reform mayor of Chicago, Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne, is shown with the broom of reform and a crooked political boss sadly confronts his disenfranchisement from control of municipal utilities, fares, and contracts.

Father Knickerbocker, a symbolic figure for New York City, holds a large stick labeled “Municipal Ownership” at his side and confronts three animated figures labeled “Electric Light Monopoly, Telephone Trust, [and] Gas Trust.” Caption: Father Knickerbocker — I hate to use this, but-

comments and context

Comments and Context

“Politics makes strange bedfellows,” and so do economics and social pressures. In the new century, American cities expanded, especially with poor immigrants; and technological innovations brought electricity, power, telephones, telegraphs, and modes of transportation to the masses.

Theodore Roosevelt is delighted with the clear information in Charles Dwight Willard’s letter and wishes he could reply at length. He wants to quote Willard in an article about women’s rights and duties. Roosevelt congratulates Willard on his overwhelming victory in the municipal contest. Recalling his article on James B. McNamara’s trial, Roosevelt wishes that leaders would remember, as Willard does, that true progressives stand against brutal wrongdoing done by labor as much as that done by capital.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-11

Theodore Roosevelt regrettably agrees with what Ernest Harvier has to say about the Republican organization in New York City. Roosevelt believes that municipal affairs must be handled differently from national issues, and that a non-partisan approach is warranted.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-05

President Roosevelt was pleased by Edward J. H. Tamsen’s intention to vote for him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-18

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt thanks George Walton Green for what he sent him and inquires if Tammany Hall will play a part in the municipal politics of New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-05-18

Emile Klein and the citizens of New York living in San Francisco, California, are glad Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt is involved in the city’s municipal affairs and hope he will help “break up…the deplorable municipal and state combines.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-11

George Riker Bishop has been meaning to call on Theodore Roosevelt at The Outlook. He appreciated Roosevelt’s recent article in which he stated that men should be held morally responsible for misconduct just as women are. He comments on his political activity and laments the death of Tristram B. Johnson, who was a rising Republican star. Bishop would like to stop by and speak with Roosevelt when he has time.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-22

Dr. Millet introduces Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur H. Andrews, President of the Board of Trade of Brockton, Massachusetts. Andrews and Millet believe that the citizens of their city should be more engaged in public affairs. They would like Roosevelt to speak to the Board of Trade at some point in the coming year,

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-15

Albert Bonnheim, President of the Civic League of Sacramento, California, tells Theodore Roosevelt that the people of Sacramento ask that he set aside an hour to give a brief address on the topic of good government. Sacramento is preparing a new charter, and needs “aid and inspiration” from Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-21

Harold F. Browne is preparing to write a thesis on professionalism in municipal administration, and asks for Theodore Roosevelt’s views on the subject. Browne believes that many of the people in municipal government only get their position because of political favors, and are not in office long enough to learn how to do the job well. He therefore believes the German system of viewing city administration as a profession would be better.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-03

Owen Wister is relieved that President Roosevelt does not plan to come to Philadelphia for its anniversary ceremonies, and says that they will attempt to use Roosevelt to his face and abuse him behind his back “to the limit of impudence.” The city’s government is celebrating the 225th anniversary of the city “entirely to keep the people in a good humor–as there have been signs of revolt.” Wister could write Roosevelt a long letter describing the bad things that Mayor John E. Reyburn is doing, but will tell him in person instead when he visits Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-02-25

Representative Parsons returns the letter from New York City Police Commissioner Theo. A. Bingham. Prentice and George Cromwell have been to see Bingham, and everything is proceeding favorably. Alderman James Cowden Meyers visited the Mayor, and Parsons thinks that rumors of fraud will not amount to much.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-14

Charles Edward Magoon writes to Secretary of State Root regarding recommendations for successors to his positions in Panama, since he will be transferred to the Philippines. He recommends Colonel William Crawford Gorgas for governor and commissioner and William F. Sands for minister. Given the circumstances of Panama, he believes that Gorgas should be given the dual appointment of governor and minister. However, if the positions are separated he recommends Sands. Magoon wishes to return to the United States prior to his transfer in order to handle his personal affairs and confer on his next position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-24

Postcard showing a large building in the background with a bridge spanning a river in the foreground. A river barge passes under the bridge. Charles C. Myers notes that the building is the Hotel de Ville, one of the leading hotels in Paris, France. It is also home to the city’s municipal government.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is the noted Hotel de Ville and one of the leading hotels of Paris and also the headquarters of the Municipal Government of the city. The main hall of this hotel, and the one in which public meetings are held 41 ft wide and 164 ft long, including two galleries.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

“Dr. Schurz” holding a large carving knife and sharpening tool, “Dr. Grace,” and “Dr. Parkhurst” holding a saw examine a sick tiger labeled “Tammany.” A medicine case in the foreground contains a drill, pincers, and a bottle of “Giant Powder – Reform Brand.” Caption: Cut him up into small pieces; – don’t let any of his nine lives get away!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1895-11-06

The Tammany Tiger lies on its back on a bed, apparently dead. A notice on the wall states, “The Tammany Tiger Executed by the People, November 6, 1894.” Archbishop Michael Corrigan kneels at the bedside, cranking “Corrigan’s Battery” which is connected to the front paws of the Tiger by wires that spell “Church Influence.” Thomas Collier Platt stands at the foot of the bed, cranking on a battery labeled “Headquarters of the Republican ‘Boys'” which is connected to electrodes in the back paws of the Tiger by wires that spell “Political Deals.” A bucket of water and a sponge lie on the floor at the foot of the bed, and the New York State Capitol at Albany is in the background. Caption: Despite the efforts of prelate and politician the cat will not come back.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1894-12-12

Senator David B. Hill, on his knees, begs Richard Croker, the “Boss of New York,” and Hugh McLaughlin, the “Boss of Brooklyn,” to use their influence to “Please nominate my friend Maynard for Judge of the Court of Appeals.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1893-08-30