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 Butler and Blaine

 


 “The Great Boodle Monopoly”
  Cartoonist:  Thomas Nast
  Source:  Harper's Weekly
  Date:   November 1, 1884, p. 730

Click to see a large version of this cartoon...

Click to see a large version of this cartoon

Complete HarpWeek Explanation:
Controversial capitalist Jay Gould rides the back and controls the reins of Republican presidential nominee James Blaine, with Greenback-Labor nominee Benjamin Butler grabbing onto Blaine from behind, as they trample over the bodies of the American public. Behind the trio shines Charles Dana's New York Sun, which endorsed Butler for president. "Boodle" is slang for graft money or stolen goods. The source of the quote is former Democratic senator Allen Thurman of Ohio. Gould had been part of the corrupt Erie Railroad Ring, and had financial interests in other railroads. As speaker of the house, Blaine used his influence to pass legislation favorable to railroad companies in return for financial favors. This Thomas Nast cartoon appeared a few days before the 1884 presidential election.
 

 

 

 
 

 

     
 

 

 
     
 

 

 
     
 

 

 

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