This cartoon illustrates a comparison between “old” and “new” styles of politics in the United States. The men shown in the left panels represent political bosses who sought to influence elections for their own benefit. The people portrayed on the right panels display a more modern approach to politics. This approach included more open and transparent campaigns, and women were allowed to participate in a limited capacity. The political bosses appear confused at this new way of engaging politics. The “old way” of politics shows the bosses holding primary elections only amongst themselves, buying drinks for other men, and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. The “new way” of politics shows men and women enjoying parties, banquets, and picnics in a family-friendly environment. The political bosses are shocked and confused to see how politics has changed overtime. The shift in politics occurred as women became more involved with political initiatives such as abolition or prohibition. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
Published in the Chicago Tribune in 1912.
"142" -- Handwritten.
"Mr. Hammer 314 Tribune Building" -- Handwritten on verso.
"Old Style Politics. Under 1: the primaries used to be held by a small bunch of bosses in the back room of a saloon. Under 2: the old style was a saloon by saloon canvass. Under 3: the old style political picnic was two thirds carouse and one third oratory by professional windjammers. New Style Politics. Under 1: the new style of politics includes dances for men and women. Under 2: the new style method is to give a grand political banquet at which both men and women do the speaking. Under 3: the new style political picnic is a clean, respectable outing with the whole family present." -- Handwritten.
Pencil and ink on board.
Original in University of Missouri Special Collections, John Tinney McCutcheon Collection.
Digitized on September 2017. Equipment: Indus Color Book Scanner. Scanning software: bcs-2 version 3.4.9. Image specifications: 400 dpi, color. Access copies: tiffs with LZW compression, rotated and cropped.
Title from caption.
