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President McKinley holds an oil can labeled “Patronage” and turns the crank on a “Prosperity Engine” while Nelson Dingley shovels coal into a damaged “Protection Boiler” labeled “High Tariff Defeat 1890” and “High Tariff Defeat 1892.” Nearby is a brand new and unused “Sound Financial Policy Boiler.” William B. Allison pulls the handle on a large brass “Republican Whistle.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1897-05-19
A “Hayseed” legislator wearing a hat labeled “N.Y. Republican Party” sits in a stupor on a large jug labeled “Raines Law,” holding a large wine bottle labeled “Hayseed Legislation.” He is slumped against a wall labeled “Albany,” with a bottle of alcohol at his feet labeled “Progressive Inheritance Tax,” and a bottle in his coat pocket labeled “Black’s Civil Service Bill.” The figure may represent Frank Swett Black, governor of New York. A man wearing a cap labeled “Tammany” is pulling papers labeled “Greater New York Patronage” from inside the coat of the legislator.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1897-05-26
Thomas C. “Boss Platt,” adorned with a ribbon of “Patronage Deals,” holds back a hungry tiger labeled “Tammany,” threatening a female figure holding a shield labeled “Greater New York.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1897-06-02
Marcus A. Hanna is Shylock, wearing a robe and holding a paper that states, “Understanding between Wm. McKinley and Mark Hanna. The aforesaid Mark Hanna shall have the Dictation of all Ohio Appointments, etc., etc.” Hanging from his waist are a purse labeled “Boodle” and a “Patronage Knife,” and extending from his pocket are balance scales.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1897-07-28
A large cut-out of an elephant, labeled “Republican Partisanship,” is propped up by boards labeled “Patronage” and “Party Platform.” A similar cut-out of a donkey, labeled “Democratic Partisanship,” is also propped up by boards labeled “Safe and Sane” and “Party Platform.” Both are also supported by men labeled “Privilege.” Men labeled “Rep Boss” and “Dem Boss” stand next to their respective symbols, pointing to them. Crowds have gathered before each cut-out. In the background is a bright sun labeled “Patriotism” and surrounded with the phrase: “The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1910-07-06
A fat businessman, reclining on a large coin, basks in the bright light of “Special Privilege” while dreaming of castles in the air. On the other side of the coin is factory life in dark and polluted Pittsburgh, where factory workers struggle to flip the coin blocking the light from their city and their lives. Caption: Pittsburg, the citadel of protection.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1909-09-22
Several Republicans stand in a temple, with a sacrificial lamb labeled “Civil Service Reform” at the base of a statue labeled “Patronage” with a trident labeled “Spoils.” Among them are Chester Alan Arthur, James Gillespie Blaine, Whitelaw Reid, Ulysses S. Grant, John Logan, William Henry Robertson, J. D. Cameron, George William Curtis, Carl Schurz, George Frisbie Hoar, John Sherman, Roscoe Conkling, and William Mahone. At the far end of the temple gallery is a statue of George M. Robeson as “Neptune.” Caption: The members of the Roman House of Tarquin, having been driven from power by the people, called together their adherents, and swore an oath of harmony over the body of a victim sacrificed for the purpose. They then undertook to get back to Rome, and History records that they Got Left.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1883-04-11
Thomas F. Bayard carries a banner that shows a portrait of Thomas Jefferson and is labeled “Jeffersonian Principles,” with a streamer at top that states “A Government of the People, by the People, for the People.” Attached to the corners of the banner are ribbons that are being pulled in different directions, tearing the banner in the process. At the upper left, a ribbon labeled “Civil Service Reform” is pulled by George H. Pendleton, holding a notice that states “Civil Service Reform will Save the Country.” At bottom left, a ribbon labeled “High Tariff” is pulled by Samuel J. Randall, holding a notice that states “High Tariff benefits the Laborer.” At center is Bayard with a notice in his pocket that states “Let us dodge every question.” On the bottom right, a ribbon labeled “To the Victors belong the Spoils” is held by John Kelly, along with a notice that states “The Spoils Policy is the Safest Policy.” At top right, a ribbon labeled “Free Trade” is pulled by Abram S. Hewitt, holding a notice that states “Free Trade benefits the Laborer.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1883-04-25
Grover Cleveland, as William Tell, holds the hand of Franklin Edson, as his son, striding past a hat labeled “Tammany” perched atop a stick labeled “Ignorant Voters” around which Samuel S. Cox, Thomas F. Grady, Hubert O. Thompson, Francis B. Spinola, and others bow down. On the left, an enraged John Kelly sits on a donkey, commanding soldiers carrying a banner labeled “Board of Aldermen.” In the background, on the right, standing beneath a sign that states “Regular Democracy,” are a group of men that includes Samuel J. Tilden, William R. Grace, Abram S. Hewitt, and Edward Cooper.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1883-05-16
Benjamin F. Butler, as Topsy from Uncle Tom’s Cabin, stands in front of an old woman labeled “Dem.” who is holding a switch labeled “Discipline” behind her back. In the background, on the floor, are broken dishes labeled “Corruption, Spoils System, The Machine, [and] Old Notions,” also a framed portrait of Andrew Jackson labeled “Jacksonian Principles,” and over a dresser is a cracked mirror labeled “Old Reflections on B.B.” The bottom of one of Topsy’s shoes is labeled “Independence.” Caption: Topsy “I ‘spect you can’t do nuffin’ with me, Miss – I’se used to whippin’. Golly! I’se so wicked!!”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1883-05-23
A sword labeled “Removal of Duties on Meat” is suspended by a chain labeled “Republican Congress” above a bull labeled “Meat Trust” feeding from a dish filled with coins labeled “Arbitrary Profits.” Caption: Unlike the sword of Damocles, which was suspended by a hair.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1910-02-23
A large circle of men is each lifting from the pocket of the man in front of him “The Other Mans Money” as they march around a large map labeled “The United States of America.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1910-02-23
In a scene reminiscent of the surrender at Yorktown, a man portrays Lord Cornwallis labeled “Special Privilege” offering his sword to President Wilson portraying George Washington, with William Jennings Bryan on the right and Oscar W. Underwood on the left. Standing behind the British officer are soldiers laying down their standards labeled “Monopoly, Tariff, Banking, Food Adulteration, Lobbyism, [and] Rail Road Rule.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1914-02-21
Puck, holding his lithographic pen, and the Independent Party figure, holding an axe labeled “November Election,” stand inside a cabin next to the head of Roscoe Conkling that has been cut off a large rattlesnake labeled “Stalwartism,” its rattle labeled “Stalwart Office Seeker.” In the background, a large fire labeled “Government Patronage” burns in a fireplace. Caption: Puck – What! Isn’t it dead? Independent New Party – Oh, yes! but it hasn’t got sense enough to know it!
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1883-01-03
President Cleveland, as Ferdinand V sitting on a throne, observes as civil service office seekers are baptized at the font of “Civil Service Reform.” Among those depicted are Thomas Hendricks, Charles A. Dana, Thomas F. Grady, “Barnum,” George H. Sterling(?), John Kelly, L. Q. C. Lamar, Thomas F. Bayard, “Pendleton,” “Carlisle,” George W. Curtis, Carl Schurz, and Grover Cleveland. Caption: In 1500, after the conquest of Granada, Ferdinand V. compelled the vanquished Moors to submit to the rite of Baptism.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1885-03-11
Rutherford B. Hayes, Chester A. Arthur, and Grover Cleveland are pilgrims on a journey through a rugged Middle Eastern landscape. Leading the way is Hayes, holding a paper that states “Patronage to Reward – The Returning Board” and carrying a canteen of “Cold Water.” Behind Hayes is Arthur who is looking back at Cleveland, with a donkey, who has stopped to help a man labeled “Civil Service” who has fainted from lack of water.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1885-03-18
John Kelly holds a shillelagh in one hand and a rope tied to an injured tiger labeled “Tammany” with bandages labeled “1880, 1882, [and] 1884” in the other, standing outside the “White House” gate. Grover Cleveland stands on the other side of the wall, holding a rifle. A sign posted on the wall states, “Resolved that – Tammany Hall recommends to the attention of the Presidents the prominent members of this organization as worthy of recognition in selection for public service. March 13th.” Caption: John Kelly – “What say you – Peace or War?” / Cleveland – “War, Johnny, war!”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1885-03-25
A group of Tammany “Ward” workers and men identified as “J. R. McLean, Grady, H. O. Thompson, Spinola, [Alexander V.] Davidson, H. McLaughlin, [and a] Chicago Boss,” along with Charles A. Dana and John Kelly stand on a mountain overlooking the United States Capitol. All are wearing top hats that emit rays of light (Kelly is stomping on his hat with his left foot) as if all are Moses. They are disappointed office seekers who feel they should have been rewarded by the Cleveland administration. A large broken tablet on the ground is labeled “Old Commandments – Thou shalt divide up the spoils.” Banners atop the Capitol, “Interior Depart[ment], Treasury U.S., [and the] White House,” state “A Government for the People not for Politicians, Reform Administration, Civil Service Reform, No Removals except for Cause.” This last banner is probably in reference to the recent removal of Capt. George B. Bacon in favor of George H. Sterling for government weigher at the New York Custom House, an action that was reversed pending investigation. Caption: Disappointed Democratic Moses – “Was it worth going through so much to get so little?”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1885-04-01
President Cleveland hands a paper that states “Re-appointment for Honesty and Efficiency” to Henry G. Pearson for his appointment as Postmaster in New York. Pearson carries a box labeled “The People’s Trust.” In the background are Whitelaw Reid with dagger labeled “N. Y. Tribune” and Charles A. Dana with dagger labeled “N. Y. Sun.” Both appear angry that an efficient and honest citizen has been appointed to a civil service position. Caption: Bravos in Background – “Ha! Foiled again!”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1885-04-08
Whitelaw Reid, on the roof top of a building, looks through a telescope at the sun labeled “Civil Service Reform,” and Charles A. Dana, on the neighboring roof top, checks a “Sun Barometer.” Signs on their respective buildings state “Tribune Political Weather Bulletin – Terrible Traitor Earthquakes, Rebel Cyclones, ‘Dude-and-Pharisee’ Simoons, Hurricanes of Plunder and Tornadoes of Spoils!” and “The Sun’s Political Weather Predictions – Very Doubtful. Probable Cold Mugwump Wave Approaching. Cautionary Signals along the entire Political Coast.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1885-04-15