Nelan Political Cartoons

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  Press Gag Law

  Robert Satterfield

  Depicts a large cartoonist labelled "Nelan" dipping a small figure labelled "Penny" in spilled ink with the imprint "Press Gag Law." Behind a small dog says, "How careless of Penny." In 1903, Samuel Pennypacker, Governor of Pennsylvania, signed the Salus-Grady libel law, also known as the "Pennsylvania Anti-Cartoon law," showing his anger with cartoonist Charles Nelan who regularly depicted him as a bird parroting his cousin's rhetoric. There was wide outrage over the Salus-Grady law and it was never enforced and was rescinded in 1907 after Pennypacker's defeat.

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  An All Around Kick

  Charles Nelan

  John Bull, back against a fence, holding a German Merchant ship in one hand and an American Merchant ship in the other, surrounded by Uncle Sam and two unidentified characters [Germany and Italy?] with “Russia” looking over the fence. A pipe-smoking man with a rifle labelled “Kruger” walking in the background.

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  The Sole Survivor

  Charles Nelan

  Grover Cleveland wearing a sign reading, "The Democratic Party cannot with honor undertake the battle of the people except under a Leader that represents it best traditions and purposes." He is sitting on a tomb "W.J. Bryan, Died: 1896 & 1900," with gravestones nearby for Tom Johnson, A.P. Gorman, Dave Hill, Richard Olney, and Judge Parker. Likely refers to the election of 1900 when W.J. Bryan was defeated for the second time (1896 was the first time) by Wm. McKinley. Bryan would run again and be defeated again in 1908.

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  Will Justice Be Smothered?

  Charles Nelan

  A blindfolded Lady Justice about to be smothered by two masked men holding a blanket bearing "Political Influence." The table near Justice is labelled "New Jersey" and the book on the table is "Law." A bottle of "Knock-out Drops" and an unconscious woman lie on the ground.

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  Subdue the Insurrection!

  Charles Nelan

  Wm. McKinley holding a flag while Uncle Sam faces him holding a broadside reading, "Subdue the insurrection! No other course is possible for the United States to pursue, with national honor. [signed] The Phlippines [sic] Commission." A portrait of General Otis is on the wall behind. Very likely refers to the First Philippine Commission established by McKinley on January 20, 1899.

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  Listen!

  Charles Nelan

  Wm. McKinley and W.J. Bryan kneeling on the ground, each with one ear to the ground. In the clouds, “November elections.” This could refer to either the 1896 election or the 1900 election, Republican McKinley defeating Democrat Bryan in both. The election of 1896 was considered a critical election that changed American politics at the time.