Presidents--Election

President Roosevelt puts his thumb on Secretary of War William H. Taft’s head as it pops out of a hole labeled, “Taft Boom.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Cartoonist Kirk L. Russell of The Washington Post used a popular and early version of today’s “Whack-a-Mole” game as the concept for his cartoon. President Roosevelt recently had been more definitive than ever about his support of Secretary of War William H. Taft to succeed him in the presidency in 1908. Roosevelt was adamant about retiring and pursuing other activities while he would still be young (age 50 at the nominating convention).

President Roosevelt standing in his stocking feet looks at Secretary of War William H. Taft wearing “Roosevelt’s shoes.” In the background are a pair of shoes labeled, “Sec” and “War.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Cartoonist Jay N. “Ding” Darling of the Des Moines Register and Leader, lifelong admirer and eventual friend of Theodore Roosevelt habitually drew Roosevelt as a portly man, almost to the dimensions of William H. Taft. Nevertheless, Darling was invariably sympathetic (with slights exceptions prior to American intervention in the Great War) and this early cartoon of his is no exception.

Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon says, “Tariff revision or an extra session!” in one cartoon. The next includes a teddy bear and President Roosevelt reading a paper that says, “Mr. President: Anything you say goes! California.” Another cartoon depicts a government clerk holding a bag that says, “50% salary increase” while Uncle Sam says, “And more if necessary.” The next cartoon depicts William Jennings Bryan saying to William Randolph Hearst, “After you, my dear Willie!” with a sign that reads, “To presidency.” Another one shows South Carolina senator Benjamin R. Tillman depicted with a pitchfork walking toward the White House with a dove of peace. Finally, the last cartoon depicts Senator Joseph Benson Foraker with a sign that says, “Reenlistment” in front of a group of soldiers labeled, “25th Infantry” — the black regiment at the center of the Brownsville Incident.

comments and context

Comments and Context

When cartoonist Clifford Kennedy Berryman switched, shortly prior to this drawing’s publication, from the Evening Star from the Washington Post, his drawing style improved: a better ability to capture celebrities’ likenesses to place atop little bodies. This cartoon fell back on the erstwhile cartoonists’ annual chestnut — a reliable theme to use once a year, the Valentine cards for politicians — either dream-fantasies or the unlikeliest of scenarios.

President Roosevelt tells Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks, Secretary of State Elihu Root, Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon, Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, Secretary of War William H. Taft, and Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw, “You remember what I said on election night!” They reply, “But, Mr. President, we love so much to hear you repeat it.” In the foreground a teddy bear shakes hands with a star and says, “Delighted!”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Cartoonist Clifford Kennedy Berryman was not the only cartoonist to squeeze every ounce of speculation from a matter that was not open to speculation during Theodore Roosevelt’s second presidential term — his decision to succeed himself. He had (as the cartoon indicates) declaimed such intention; and his string choice of a successor was Secretary of War William H. Taft. Nevertheless, some politicians still dreamed, and some cartoonists still fell back on easy subjects.

President Roosevelt lights a “Taft boom” stick of dynamite outside of the “White House.” Beside him are previously lit sticks of dynamite: “Fairbanks boom,” “Shaw boom,” “Root boom,” and “Cannon boom.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-22

A number of men offer papers to President Roosevelt that read, “latest roster of Roosevelt’s cabinet,” “the message to Congress,” “the President’s Southern tour,” “reorganized cabinet,” “what the President will do to Congress,” “outline of Roosevelt’s foreign policies,” and “Roosevelt and 1908.” There are also three barrels beside him: “good advice from Neb.,” “good advice from Nebraska,” and “more good advice from Nebr.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-10-02

Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon, Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks, Secretary of War William H. Taft, Elihu Root, Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker, and Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw also listen to a sound recording from a machine that has a sign that reads, “Drop a penny in the slot and hear the president decline the nomination for 1908.” Caption: President Roosevelt, during his visit in Chicago, on two occasions reaffirmed his declaration that he would not again be a candidate for the Presidency.—News Item.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-12

Presidential candidates Alton B. Parker and Theodore Roosevelt hover over a frog labeled “The Silent Vote.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-30

In one vignette, Henry Gassaway Davis puts his hand on West Virginia Senator Stephen B. Elkins’s shoulder. Caption: Mr. Davis—That it’s all in the family. In the second, an elephant holds President Roosevelt’s hold “to victory.” Caption: G.O.P.—That it had a strenuous leader. In the third, William Jennings Bryan sits by a grave with a headstone that reads, “Safe & Sane Democrat 1904.” Caption: Mr. Bryan—That it wasn’t his friends. In the fourth, Missouri Senator Francis Marion Cockrell stands by “national esteem” wreaths outside the “White House.” Caption: Mr. Cockrell—That it’s an ill wind, etc. In the fifth, Henry Watterson sits in a rocking chair on a boat bound for Europe. Caption: Mr. Watterson—That there’s another country. In the sixth, a badly beaten donkey stands up by a sign that reads, “Under no circumstances will I again be a candidate for the presidency. T. Roosevelt.” Caption: Democracy—That there’s a ray of sunshine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-24

In the first vignette, Alton B. Parker knocks on the door of August Belmont. Caption: Mr. Parker—”Did I understand that there was a $50,000 job vacant around here?” In the second, Henry Gassaway Davis holds a large money barrel while President Roosevelt walks away with West Virginia woman. Caption: At last reports Uncle Henry Davis was still holding his own. In the third, “Dr. Bryan,” “Dr. Hearst,” and “Dr. Watson” all attempt to doctor a bandaged Democratic donkey. Caption: The Doctors—”Cheer up, we’ll begin work on you again.” In the fourth vignette, William Preston Harrison walks from the “West Side” to the “North Side.” Caption: William Preston Harrison leaves from again. In the fifth, Parker stands beside William H. Douglas who holds a sign with a shoe on it that reads, “It pays to advertise.” In the sixth, Chicago Mayor Carter H. Harrison stares at a sign that reads, “Wisconsin for Roosevelt . . . 50,000—Illinois for Roosevelt . . . 230,000—Indiana for Roosevelt . . . 60,000.” Caption: The states he promised Parker.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-10

A “teddy” rooster crows as it stands on top of another rooster with a sign that reads, “I can’t revoke anything now!! (Parker).”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-08

In one vignette, David B. Hill jumps into a “Wolfert’s Roost” tree with a sign that reads, “I really couldn’t wait until Jan. 1.” In the second, “the silent voter” sphinx shouts, “Roosevelt!” from a megaphone as Alton B. Parker runs away. In a third vignette, Chair of the Republican National Committee George B. Cortelyou tells Chair of the Democratic National Committee Thomas Taggart, “Kindly make allowances for me, Tom, as this was my first campaign.” In the fourth, President Roosevelt looks at a Republican elephant who holds a scroll that reads, “339 + electoral votes.” The elephant says, “Theodore, you’ve established a hard record for me to keep up with.” In the fifth, Henry Gassaway Davis opens a fence as West Virginia Senator Stephen B. Elkins rushes toward him and says, “Welcome home, pop!” In the sixth, Williams Jennings Bryan looks at a piecemeal donkey and says, “I guess there’s enough to work on.” In the seventh, “Southern democracy” looks at the shoes of “Northern democracy” stuck in a snowdrift and says, “Nothin’ but de feet!” In the eighth, Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon looks through binoculars and says, “Wanted! A few minority members for House committees.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-13

President Roosevelt rides a Republican elephant decorated with several bells, a “Roosevelt” megaphone, and a “big stick.” Roosevelt sits in a seat with the names of various states.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-09

As part of a western campaign tour, Theodore Roosevelt speaks to crowds and firms up Progressive Party structure in the area of Fargo, North Dakota, September 6, 1912. Several views from varying distances of Roosevelt greeting and speaking to crowds from rear of train; addressing large crowd from a decorated platform, apparently in a stadium; speaking from rear of train to Native American men, women, and children assembled on open plains; several long shots of crowds; medium-close silhouette of Roosevelt and three men conversing, one of whom appears to be George Emlen Roosevelt, his cousin and campaign secretary in the 1912 election.

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

1912

President Roosevelt writes that he will accept the Republican nomination for president and goes on to discuss the Republican party platform and his goals for the presidency.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1904-09-12

Flyer addressing the mistakes of President Roosevelt that the Democratic Party have been discussing and lists these “mistakes.” Originally printed in Leslie’s Weekly, this flyer was issued by the Republican Club of Massachusetts.

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1904-03-10

1912 campaign poster from Butte, Montana for Theodore Roosevelt and the Bull Moose Party.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation

Creation Date

1912

Reflection on the potential that the New York State Republican Convention will not endorse President Roosevelt as the Republican presidential candidate in 1904.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

This newspaper clipping from The Globe includes several marked articles. “The First Speech of Mr. Higgins,” describes a speech of Frank Wayland Higgins, New York gubernatorial candidate, in his hometown. “Very Queer Business” highlights the hysterical situation in the press surrounding Judge Alton B. Parker, as the newspapers seem to not trust Parker to act on his own “as a self-respecting man and leader of his party.” This stands in sharp contrast to the mood of the democratic campaign itself, which seems much more sanguine. Finally, “A Notable Accession” is a partial article highlighting the choice by Robert Treat Paine of Massachusetts, a former Democratic gubernatorial candidate, to vote for President Roosevelt rather than Parker.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-20

Headline declares, “Roosevelt landslide!”  

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1904-11-09