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President Roosevelt throws a brick at a man labeled “N. Y. Sun” as a man labeled the “Indianapolis News” runs away. A “newspaper report” is by Roosevelt’s feet.
The assertive rejoinders of President Roosevelt, aimed at newspapers in the latter days of the 1908 presidential campaign, typically responded in kind to attacks on him and William H. Taft; and the president’s brother-in-law, and Taft’s brother.
President Roosevelt stands in mud labeled “Panama Ananias Cut” as he throws dirt on William MacKay Laffan and Delavan Smith.” Meanwhile, Joseph Pulitzer hides behind a rock and holds up a paper: “World–‘Never touched me!’ J. Pulitzer.”
The artistic and conceptual inconsistencies of W. A. Rogers and his cartoons have prevented researchers from tracking history through his cartoons, except as a trail of variable partisanship. One of his most famous cartoons, for instance, living through reprints in many articles and history texts, depicts a giant Theodore Roosevelt with a shovel, digging through the Isthmus of Panama; he looks dignified and noble. The drawing has the similitude of endorsement. But a close examination of s small detail reveals that the cartoonist showed dirt being piled upon Nicaragua, which the United States had decided against as it planned a path between the seas.
President Roosevelt fires his “big stick” cannon from the “White House” at the “New York Sun” cannon, which both fire “liar” at one another. The editors of the “Indianapolis News” and “New York World” both load “lies” cannonballs into their cannons, which fire, “You’re another.” William Nelson Cromwell watches near the White House.
At the tail end of the 1908 campaign, accusations were printed in the three newspapers pictured in Edward Joseph McBride’s cartoon that several people had profited illicitly several years previous, from the many negotiations and transactions related to the construction of the Panama Canal.
Men are depicted in various places around the Gatun Dam. A reporter writes on a paper: “I regret to report that the hill is about to fall into the. . .” Two men look at a small split in the canyon. One says, “A ship couldn’t get through there, could it?” The other replies, “Funny we didn’t see that before! We will have to widen it.” Another two men watch as portions of rock fall. One says, “It’s falling into the underground lake.” The other replies, “Gee! Somebody will be angry.” Another man runs away from the breaking dam as yet another points to the “Gatun Dam” sign and says, “It ought to be spelled with an ‘n.'” Two men try to jump over a crevice, and they say, “A crevasse! All the water will run out!” and “It’ll cost mebbe nine million dollars to fill it up!” In the bottom right corner, one man says to another man, “Another cave-in? This will delay us 14 years.” The man replies, “Yep.” Finally, in the left center, a man watches other person dumping pieces of rock into a crevice and says, “Hey, you! Whatcha mean by dumping that down there?” Caption: Conditions on the Panama Canal as depicted in several recent dispatches.
This cartoon by Ralph Wilder, an elaborate bird’s-eye view of the Panama Canal under construction, peopled with workers and officials assessing damage, fearing damage, and ignoring damage is not related to the controversy raging at the time about corruption and “inside” profiteering when Panama became a country.
The “editor of the New York World” and the “editor of Indianapolis News” jump in their seats as President Roosevelt tells them, “Criminal court: the next stop.” There are two newspapers on the ground, one of which reads, “New York World: Allegation of Panama Fraud.”
As usual in Jay N. “Ding” Darling’s political cartoons, he scored several points simultaneously in one drawing. The inspiration for the cartoon was the money-and-influence allegations surrounding the negotiations, purchase, and contracts for construction of the Panama Canal. Two newspapers aired the charges — particularly inciting President Roosevelt’s ire because the stories implicated his brother-in-law Douglas Robinson — The Indianapolis News and Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World.
President Roosevelt puts up his left hand and holds his big stick in his right hand. “The World” and “The Sun” cross paths and turn the sky dark. There are several papers: “Is C. P. Taft a grafter?” “Is Douglas Robinson a grafter?” and “Who got the money?”
Readers of the day generally were sophisticated enough to understand when cartoonists relied on Biblical allusions, scenes from operas or mythology, or from Shakespeare or other literary sources. In this cartoon, John T. McCutcheon of the Chicago Tribune harkened to the account in the tenth chapter of Joshua.
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.
A harried-looking Alton B. Parker sits at a desk and tries to write as several megaphones with the titles of various newspapers shout at him. The “Brooklyn Eagle” says, “Hold to the Philippines.” The “N.Y. American” says, “Down with Belmont and trusts.” The “N.Y. Times” says, “Hold the Philippines. Hold everything.” The “N.Y. World” says, “Scuttle. Abandon Philippines. Give up. Scuttle.” The “N.Y. Post” says, “Come out for free trade.” Another megaphone says, “Down with the South.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-11
President Roosevelt reads a newspaper with the headline of “Beware of Roosevelt the Firebrand!!!” as Charles W. Fairbanks rests his head, which appears to be a block of ice, on top of Roosevelt’s head.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09
Newspapers in New York are publishing information about President Roosevelt that was not fit to print, which irks the writer of this article because the people of the West love Roosevelt. Although Roosevelt did the best he could to deal with the financial crisis, the writer does acknowledge that it has negatively impacted New York City in ways that the people of Kansas City could not fathom.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-06
This collection of news reports on the recent death of Sheriff Pat F. Garrett, known for killing the outlaw Billy the Kid. Garrett was shot and killed by J. Wayne Brazel near Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-03-11
The Second Plenary Council of Baltimore wishes to make it clear that when a newspaper has a bishop’s name connected with it, this does not mean that the bishop sanctions or condones everything that is published in that newspaper. Rather, it merely designates that when a bishop has to publish an official document, it will be published in that newspaper.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1866
The list provides the names of newspapers in a number of American cities, some of which have been crossed out by hand.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-12
President Roosevelt asks Senator Lodge to explain to their friends that Chatham is in the district of Louis Frisbie Payn, and that Payn’s newspaper has a poor view of the Roosevelt administration.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1903-11-18
John D. Crimmins assures Theodore Roosevelt of his high estimation of him after the New York Times published a purported interview with Crimmins in which he denounces Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-04
Howard Pyle has sent under separate cover an article he has written for a local newspaper giving his views of President Roosevelt’s administration. Pyle requests that Roosevelt review it as he is also considering publishing it in the Outlook.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-18
Commissioner Roosevelt acknowledges the letter, book, and paper sent by John Wallace Riddle. His summer reading is now set. Roosevelt will be making a flying visit out west in August and wishes Riddle could join the family for the Fourth of July.
1889-06-12
President Roosevelt writes Frank Wayland Higgins regarding Higgins’s candidacy for governor of New York. Roosevelt urges Higgins to announce his candidacy as soon as he is able, and to make sure the voters know who he is and what he will do. The Democrats are putting the Republicans on the defensive, and the Republicans should push back by attacking D. Cady Herrick, the opposing Democratic nominee for governor, for his actions as a judge. Roosevelt links Higgins’s candidacy with his own, and believes they should emphasize the national issues, rather than being on the defensive with state-level issues.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-30
President Roosevelt wishes he could have seen the reaction of the audience when Richard Henry Dana spoke at the Reform Club. He calls the Boston Herald a “disingenuous paper.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-26
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Walter H. Foster that he has refused to take part in the primary contest of any state. The Boston Herald has tried to draw Roosevelt’s opinion out about Mr. Hughes.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916