Political corruption--U.S. states

Richard Watson Gilder reflects on the results of the recent elections across the country, where political bosses were defeated in various cities and states. While this is a blow against political corruption, Gilder cautions against allowing demagogues to take over and lead voters to vote purely “to hit the bosses” rather than for the public good. A note in the margins questions whether William Randolph Hearst might be one of the demagogues in question.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-06

Creator(s)

Gilder, Richard Watson, 1844-1909

President Roosevelt, wielding a dagger and his “big stick,” chases a fleeing tiger whose collar reads “Tammany, N. Y..” Other animals, sporting some injuries, watch from the background.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-24

Creator(s)

Scott, R.

Former New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman sent many private telegrams at public expense, which this newspaper article suggests reveals his corruption. Several personal telegrams are reprinted. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-15

Creator(s)

Unknown

The editorial writers of the Alburquerque Morning Journal claim the paper would be in contempt of court if the writers were to discuss the report of referee Charles V. Safford in the case of Prison Superintendent Holm Olaf Bursum. The Alburquerque Evening Citizen encourages the Morning Journal to address a series of questions in order to keep “what little self respect it has.” The list of questions to be answered includes queries about the Bursum case, corrupt prison practices, and the alleged corruption of New Mexico Governor Herbert J. Hagerman.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-15

Creator(s)

Unknown

Richard Croker, a Tammany Hall boss, is pictured as Hamlet, exiting a castle labeled “Tammany Hall,” carrying a moneybag labeled “Pickings” and papers labeled “Deed $90,000 House, Ranch – Racing Stable, [and] Investm[ent] – Stock Farm.” He encounters the ghost of Boss Tweed who stands at the edge of an “Abyss for Smashed Bosses,” holding in his arms a moneybag labeled “Stealings” and papers labeled “‘Diamond Wedding’, Erie Deal, [and] 5th Avenue House.” Croker is headed for the abyss. Caption: Hamlet Croker (to Ghost Tweed)–I’ll follow thee!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1894-04-11

Creator(s)

Opper, Frederick Burr, 1857-1937

Charles F. Murphy is proudly sitting on the bow of a ship with an albatross labeled “Tammany Rule,” its wings labeled “Graft” and “Patronage,” that he has shot with an arrow labeled “Murphyism.” Caption: And I had done a hellish thing, / And it would work ’em woe.–Coleridge “The Ancient Mariner.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1913-11-26

Creator(s)

Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956

Ethan Allen Hitchcock concurs with Charles Nagel’s opinion that charges against Postmaster F. W. Baumhoff are due to conspiracy and agrees that, should President Roosevelt replace Baumhoff, Frank Wyman is a worthy candidate. Hitchcock opposes Richard Bartholdt’s support for William Wilson Sterrett’s appointment and includes an excerpt from a telegram received from John Whittaker. Hitchcock encloses a letter from Mr. Parsons, “private.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-04

Creator(s)

Hitchcock, Ethan Allen, 1835-1909

James R. Sheffield wishes President Roosevelt a happy birthday and discusses a recent meeting with Commissioner Williams, who is currently under investigation. Sheffield writes of the newspaper charges against Ellis Island, the McSweeny trial, and expresses confidence that Seth Low will be re-elected as Mayor of New York City.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-27

Creator(s)

Sheffield, James R. (James Rockwell), 1864-1938