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JM-145: The Senate passes a parcels post bill. 145
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This cartoon shows the US Senate passing the Post Office Appropriation Bill of 1912. The most controversial part of this legislation was the parcels post provision being held up in the comic. This provision divided the country into zones, which would be used to determine postage prices in the US. The provision was introduced by Senator Jonathan Bourne of Oregon to create uniform postage prices within specific areas of the United States. Senator Joseph Bristow of Kansas originally objected to the provision, claiming the price proposals of postage were too low to sustain. Eventually, the senators reached a compromise and the bill was passed with the maximum postage rate of 12 cents per first pound shipped within the total of eight zones created. This bill was thought to be beneficial to small businesses, regularized and lowering costs in specific zones. This bill was not well received by many within the US, particularly with some big business, as represented by the four large men in the top of the cartoon. One of these men reference former Senator Thomas Platt, an infamous political boss for the Republican party. The comment shows a shift occurring within Congress from conservative to more progressive policies during the 1910s. This shift is seen by the man commenting, “Darn those daily moosepapers”. This comment is most likely a reference to the progressive policies of President Theodore Roosevelt, who founded the Bull-Moose party in 1912. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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JM-144: Peace Talk
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In the first panel, capital and labor are in an argument. This is a personification of the series of labor disputes between workers and large business owners that were a common product of the Industrial Revolution. Usually these disputes were about implementing better employment practices such as better wages, workers’ compensation, safety regulations, etc. This argument is delaying the train of 1916, which holds the economic prosperity the United States experienced due to it funding and manufacturing supplies for the European nations fighting in World War I. Uncle Sam, the United States, is attempting to resolve the conflict between Labor and Capital, so they can become ready to experience the prosperity 1916 is bringing. Notice the bottom notation says this “peace” is necessary. The second panel portrays a wide view of the world with the United States on the left and Europe on the right. On the left, Uncle Sam (the United States) is being asked by humanity to intervene and mediate in Europe. This exchange references those who thought the United States had a moral duty to help end World War I in Europe. On the right side of the panel, is a depiction of the World War I conflict being shielded from the glow of peace (the sun). The Allies (Britain, France, Italy) are fighting with the Teutons (Germany and its allies with Germanic roots). Looming over this fight are the personifications of financial and physical death. This shows the devastation World War I has caused in Europe. The last panel depicts the internal debate between politicians in the US about what action should be taken regarding European intervention. On the left, “progressive” politicians pull the elephant ( the Republican party) towards peace, meaning they want the US government to help European nations negotiate a peace. Notice the Progressive politician is dressed in relatively simple clothing, which suggests he appeals more the common man. The “old guard” politician is pulling the Republican party away from peace, meaning he wishes the United States to remain neutral and not intervene in World War I. He is dressed more upscale, which suggests his ideas represent the older, more wealthy population that is profiting on the war. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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JM-140: Proposed solution to the disputed problem. 140
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This cartoon depicts the potential candidates for the Republican primary election of 1912. The first candidate portrayed on the left is President Taft, who was running for re-election. The second candidate is James Sherman’s, President Taft’s former vice president. The next candidate is a senator from Massachusetts, Boies Penrose. William Barnes, Jr., a politician and journalist from New York, is displayed as a potential runner. The last candidate depicted in the cartoon is Winthrop Crane, another senator from Massachusetts. All these men appear to be eager to run in the Republican primary in the top panel. However, some of these men are accused of being fraudulent candidates. This means they have been accused of not actually been favored by the public to run for the presidency To ensure their legitimacy, a man suggests a preferential primary. A preferential primary is an election that determines the nominee for the presidency through the preference of voters or through delegates (these delegates most vote for the winning primary candidate). The practice of a preferential primary contradicts against the tradition of political bosses attempting to organize the outcome of elections. The candidates of the elections all find this news distressing in the bottom panel. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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JM-192: Nope!
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This cartoon shows President Woodrow Wilson boarding a train. Uncle Sam is attempting to also board the train, but it seems he does not have a reservation. The bag President Wilson is carrying is titled, “League Covenant”. This bag most likely refers to President Wilson’s ambition to form the League of Nations, an collection of nations working together to create international unity. The League of Nations existed from 1920 to 1946. The United States never officially joined the League of Nations, because congress feared its membership would limit the United States’ national sovereignty. At the time, many Americans suggested joining the League of Nations would not benefit the United States. However, there was also a population of Americans, including Woodrow Wilson, who believed The League of Nations’ efforts towards international peace would offer great benefits to the United States. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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JM-188: New members of the club
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This cartoon depicts many issues leading to political discourse during the late 1910s in the United States. The old sources of political discourse such as “prohibition issue”, “he kept us out of war issue”, and “tariff issue” have been displaced by the overgrown and overwhelming new issues. The “prohibition issue” refers to the question of whether alcohol should be a legal substance in the United States. The “he kept us out of war issue” refers to the fact that, despite his promise, the United States entered World War I under President Wilson. The “tariff issue” refers to what goods (if any) should have a tariff placed on them to protect the economic interests of the United States. The new issues overtaking the room were a relatively new source of political conflict. The “league amendments issue” refers to the United States entering the League of Nations. If the United States had joined the League of Nations, it would have to surrender some of its national sovereignty, which made it an unacceptable option to many politicians. The “cost of living” was a relatively new issue in the United States. It refers to the unusually high cost of necessary items, while many worker’s wages remained low by comparison. The “daylight savings issue” refers to the issue of whether the United States should continue to use daylight savings time. The United States had adopted daylight savings time in 1918. Many countries adopted daylight savings during World War I as a way to lower the need to use coal. The transition to daylight savings time had been problematic, and many in the United States thought it should be abandoned. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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JM-132: Fifty years from now
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This cartoon depicts an aged version of Katherine Elkins and Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of Abruzzi. Katherine Elkins was the daughter of Senator Stephen B. Elkins, an influential politician from West Virginia. The Duke of Abruzzi was Commander in Chief of the Italian fleet and fifth in line for the Italian throne. They met through a series of social events in the United States, and their courtship was covered by the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers for over two years. The Duke of Abruzzi needed the permission from the King of Italy to marry. If the couple had married without royal permission, then Ms. Elkins would not have received a royal title or estates and The Duke of Abruzzi would have received reprimand from the crown. When this cartoon was drawn, the Duke and Ms. Elkins were rumored to be engaged, but still waiting for the King’s blessing to wed. Eventually, the King would deny this request and the couple separated around 1912. Katherine Elkins went on to marry Billy Hitt, the son of an Illinois congressman. The Duke Abruzzi led the Italian navy through World War I, and he oversaw the Italian colony of Somalia. The Duke of Abruzzi married as well, and died in 1933. (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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JM-130: Hello, Is that the coroner?
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This cartoon is an editorial depiction of the fear of war with Japan in later 1910. At the time, the army of Japan was growing, and they were seeking new technology and funding. This was combined with Japan seizing territory around it, such as parts of Korea. These military actions made relations between the United States and Japan more tense, even to the point where California was proposing legislation to limit the rights of Japanese citizens. The Chicago Tribune took a relatively relaxed approach to the situation, asserting relations between the United States and Japan were nowhere near a declaration of war. Journalists came to this conclusion, because the costs of war were too great for both sides. Ultimately, President Taft sought to avoid public fear by seeking to dismantle rumors of war by publicly announcing the United States intention of peace with Japan. This cartoon shows Taft crushing the personified Japanese war scare while on the phone saying "Hello, is that the coroner? Well, say, come up in about 10 minutes. I'll have a nice job for you." (Summary created by Mary Delano, MU History Intern, Spring 2018)
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