Oklahoma

In this detailed cartoon, a variety of individuals try to figure out if Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell—who has run off—touched second base, which has a container of “oil” on it. Uncle Sam stands in the center of the diamond and says, “It’s a draw.” A large group of people congregate just off the first-base line, including William H. Taft, Samuel Gompers, William Jennings Bryan, Norman Edward Mack, William Loeb, President Roosevelt, William F. Sheehan, Alton B. Parker, and George von Lengerke Meyer. A variety of people are around the field: Charles Francis Murphy, Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes, New York Lieutenant Governor Lewis S. Chanler, William James Conners, and Patrick Henry McCarren. John D. Rockefeller, John D. Archbold, Henry Huttleston Rogers, and James Roscoe Day all watch from the side. In another section of the audience, the Democratic donkey and Republican elephant fight. A handwritten note is included: “Mr. President: This is so good I have to send it to you.”

Comments and Context

Frequently political cartoons have a subtext related news events, gossip about figures being caricatured, and the shadowy realm of the interests and agendas of publishers. All these factors were play in the genre scene composed by cartoonist Thomas E. Powers, nominally about Oklahoma Governor Charles Nathaniel Haskell.

Haskell was also Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, with financial responsibilities in the presidential campaign of William Jennings Bryan. “Touching second base” or not, as the oil can with Standard Oil’s dollar sign, sits on the base that Haskell clearly avoids, is the nub of the cartoon.

Indian Commissioner Leupp informs William Loeb that Oklahoma Representative Dennis T. Flynn told Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock about the “shocking” habits of Frank C. Frantz, who may be made governor of Oklahoma. Flynn said that he would tell President Roosevelt the same story and make the accusations to Frantz’s face. Leupp hastily suggests that, as Flynn is leaving town tonight and Frantz is arriving tonight, Roosevelt invite both men and have them face each other today.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-23

A note reads, “Hold Solicitorship of Internal Revenue until middle of May,” and “Also hold up Oklahoma judgeship indefinitely.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-29

Following the failure of Grosvenor Porter to be confirmed as marshal of the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the article alleges that Frank H. Hitchcock, aligned with Secretary of War William H. Taft’s bid for the presidential nomination, made a deal with Samuel G. Victor to appoint him as marshal in return for his support of Taft’s campaign. Cassius M. Cade and Pliny L. Soper, Republican national committeemen from Oklahoma, helped engineer the deal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-06

Frank H. Hitchcock, Secretary of War William H. Taft’s campaign manager, has allegedly been using federal patronage positions to drive political support for Taft’s candidacy. As a response to this, a number of United States Senators who oppose President Roosevelt have rejected federal appointments in Ohio, Oklahoma, and North Carolina in an effort to hinder Roosevelt and Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-16

Attorney General Bonaparte updates President Roosevelt about the work of United States Attorneys throughout the country. He delivered an address at the University of Chicago, where he was questioned about the conduct of United States Attorney William H. H. Llewellyn. Oklahoma is about to gain statehood and Bonaparte would like to discuss the matter with Roosevelt, given his earlier opposition. Many people Bonaparte met in Chicago support a third term for Roosevelt. He believes they would accept Secretary of War William H. Taft as president if necessary, but would oppose Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-20

Richard H. Taylor corrects an error in previous letter to William Loeb. Since Oklahoma is a “dry” state, Taylor wants to clarify that the word “dram” should have been “drama.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-24

Sheet music for “Oklahoma,” a march celebrating Oklahoma becoming a state in 1908. The song is dedicated to President Roosevelt. The cover features an illustration of Uncle Sam next to an outline of Oklahoma. The last page contains music for “The Flowers of the Forest” by Ida Furman Mulliner.

Collection

Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection

Creation Date

1908

Although John H. Parker proposes to correct any “errors of fact” made in his previous publication concerning the Santiago campaign during the Spanish-American War, such revisions will not sufficiently remedy the evil done by his first publication of questionable statements reflecting on other officers. Any future publications must be submitted to War Department for review. The report also contains a timeline of Parker’s commendations, efficiency report summaries with statements by previous commanding officers, and a list of battles.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-13

President Roosevelt is on a hunt in Oklahoma after being received well in Texas. He is still very worried about William Sheffield Cowles, Jr., who continues to struggle with his health. Roosevelt wishes he could help Sheffield or Anna Roosevelt Cowles.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905-04-09

Vice President Roosevelt congratulates General Johnson on the monument commissioned in his honor and expresses his reverence for Civil War servicemen. Roosevelt also describes a particular meeting in Oklahoma where he marched alongside Civil War veterans and felt especially “stirred.”

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1901-07-07

Theodore Roosevelt’s diary documenting his hunting trips in Oklahoma and Colorado. There are no entries for January through 5 April and 9 May to 31 December.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1905

Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock writes to President Roosevelt regarding Hitchcock’s report about statehood in Oklahoma and other territories.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-05

Governor Hadley sends this letter of introduction for Harry J. Cantwell, a prominent lawyer and Roosevelt Democrat from St. Louis, Missouri. Cantwell is connected with litigation affecting the rights of Native Americans in Oklahoma and would like to discuss the matter with Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-02-09

Winthrop Chanler inquires about Ted Roosevelt’s unnamed condition, mentioning that boys tend to do fine with this particular disease. He also relates the events of his hunting trip to Oklahoma. He mentions some of the game that he shot and describes the poor Indians and whites that he saw. There has been no rain in Oklahoma since June and the ground is dry. Spring is about to return. Chanler tells President Roosevelt to call him if there is any change.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock encloses census data concerning Oklahoma and the Indian Territory that President Roosevelt can use in his upcoming speech to businessmen in St. Louis, Missouri. Hitchcock suggests that Roosevelt mention the increased manufacturing in the St. Louis area and call out their friend Adolphus Busch.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-18

Senator Beveridge does not believe that the omnibus bill admitting Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Indian Territory as states will pass. The view in Washington, D.C., is that President Roosevelt is handling the Venezuelan crisis well.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-25

Hamlin Garland sent President Roosevelt some books. Information on the books crossed Garland’s path while in Oklahoma. Garland enjoyed a musical as a “superb close to a very interesting week in Washington.” Garland regrets having not met Roosevelt’s daughter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-29

Frank H. Rantz believes that Vice President Roosevelt can best serve the interests of Oklahoma by protesting against the reappointment of Governor Cassius M. Barnes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901

William Miller Jenkins was unexpectedly dismissed as governor of Oklahoma Territory. Jenkins was surprised at the rapidity of his removal and is unaware when the change will take place.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901