Puck’s Independent Party figure sits on the left next to Puck beneath a sign that states “Independent Road to the White House.” At center, A. M. Clapp, with a cash box labeled “Republican Campaign Fund” and a sheet of paper that states “Permission to Remain in Office,” appears with Green B. Raum, who is holding a box labeled “Absolution” containing papers that state “Indispensable Dispensation,” selling indulgences for absolutions and dispensations to an old woman with a broom labeled “U. S.,” a “U. S. Scrub-Woman,” a “Page,” a “Treasy. Clerk,” and a “U. S. Postman” holding a paper that is a “Guarantee against Decapitation.” In the background, Whitelaw Reid carries a banner that states “The Republican Party is the Party of Salvation,” Thomas Jefferson Brady and Stephen Dorsey carry banners that state “The Republican Party Must Stay No Matter How” and “This is Our Last Chance,” and Powell Clayton drives a wagon carrying a safe labeled “Funds for an Aggressive Campaign.” Also depicted are William Walter Phelps with a paper that states “Its Only a Matter of Money” and Robert Ingersoll holding a paper labeled “Sweet C. O. D.” Caption: In the sixteenth century, Tetzel and his corrupt fellow-priests openly sold absolutions and dispensations, and played upon the fears of the people to fill their coffers, and keep themselves in power and place and shameful luxury. A little later, they were swept under in the cleansing flood of the great reformation. Will the star-route money-leeches please take notice that history repeats itself?
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1884-08-12
