Your TR Source
A woman labeled “Democratic Party” peers through an opening labeled “Jeffersonian Principles” in an underground shelter, while a tornado rages overhead with dark clouds labeled “Indignation, Dissatisfaction, Defeat, [and] Hard Times.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1894-05-02
Several men emerge from an underground shelter after a tornado labeled “November Elections” has passed. One man is labeled “Special Privilege” and others are labeled “Grafter” and “High Protection.” Among them are Joseph Gurney Cannon and Joseph Benson Foraker. Caption: Special Privilege — All right now, boys. You can come out.
In 1908 Puck Magazine could not help but stay fairly neutral between the presidential campaigns of Democrat William Jennings Bryan and the victorious Republican William H. Taft. The traditional Democratic magazine preferred the postions of Taft (actually the policies of outgoing President Roosevelt) and regarded Bryan as anathema.
About Congressional races — more, Congress itself and its allies in corrupt big business — Puck was never neutral. As the Senate and the House of Representatives (represented here by Joseph Benson Foraker and Joseph Gurney Cannon, respectively) were firmly in Republican hands in this era, they attracted the ire of Puck‘s cartoonists. Additionally, most (certainly not all) trust magnates were allied with the Republican party in power.
An ostrich labeled “Republican Party” tucks its head in a hole labeled “‘Stand Pat’ Policy” as a tornado advances from behind with dark clouds labeled “Tariff Reform.”
The Republican Party’s attitude toward tariff reform is depicted in this cartoon by Pughe as one of foolish or willful neglect, with sure disaster as the price. Yet with President Roosevelt at the helm, it is generally the case that avoidance of dealing with the tariff issue was a calculated risk.
In the first place, “tariff reform” for decades had meant one thing, or, rather, two: higher rates under Republicans; lower rates under Democrats. So the topic, and politically addressing it, was a sure electrical storm looming on horizons. Secondly, however, Roosevelt was almost congenitally uncomfortable, even inept, at economics. This even extended to his personal finances; his cousin handled his finances, and his wife Edith parceled out his pocket money.
In the wake of a tornado outbreak in Mississippi, President Roosevelt informs Governor Noel of the legal channels through which the War Department will dispatch aid and personnel, and provides him with the names of people to ask for aid. The Red Cross is also sending aid and nurses.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-02
President Roosevelt offers Mississippi Governor Edmond Favor Noel sympathy and federal aid following destructive tornadoes in Mississippi.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-04-26