False weights and measures in the New York custom-house
Customs official Edward L. Hedden holds a balance scale labeled “H.O. Thompson’s Pat. Scales.” Weighing heavily on one side of the scale is a man wearing a pin-stripe suit, holding a bottle of “Rum,” and with papers extending from his pockets that state “Spoils-man, Ward Politician, Rum-shop Keeper, [and] Vote of the B’ys.” On the other side is a man with papers that state “Reputation, Integrity and Fitness, Navy Officer War Record, [and] 16 years creditable Service.” The center of the balance shows the face of Thompson. A paper that states “List of Removals by Order of H.O. Thompson” rests on a desk in the lower right.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1885-09-23
