Item Info
Publication Date: 1/4/1914
Media Type: Cartoons (Commentary)
Source: Print and Picture Collection
Notes:
The U.S. elections of 1912 saw a growing interest in progressive reform throughout the country. The Progressive movement in Pennsylvania proved especially strong when the state nominated former President Theodore Roosevelt over the then incumbent President William Howard Taft.
Roosevelt, representing progressive reform and a strong stance against special interests and machine politics, would fail to secure the national Republican nomination and instead ran for president on a third party ticket. This rift between the conservative and progressive Republicans led to the creation of the Washington Party ticket in Pennsylvania. Though both Taft and Roosevelt would lose the election to the Democratic candidate Woodrow Wilson, the progressive Washington party won 39 counties and numerous congressional seats in the state.
Due to the split in the party, some Republican candidates made pledges to act with the faction that gave them the majority of votes. This cartoon points out that the candidates listed were all given the most votes by Washington Party voters and prompts the viewer to examine whether they have lived up to their promises.
Source:
Abernethy, Lloyd M. (1962, April). "The Progressive Campaign in Philadelphia, 1912." Pennsylvania History, 29(2), 175-192.
Country: Country:United States
State/Province:Pennsylvania
Creator Name: Hoopman - Artist