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 Election Results

 


 “What It Means”
  Cartoonist:  Thomas Nast
  Source:  Harper's Weekly
  Date:   November 15, 1884, p. 747

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

Click to see a large version of this cartoon

Complete HarpWeek Explanation:
This cover cartoon by Thomas Nast celebrates the victory of Democrat Grover Cleveland in the presidential election. Standing on the White House portico, Columbia motions to a placard explaining the meaning of Cleveland's win. It is characterized as the triumph of honest and efficient government, connoting the application of ethical and merit standards to public administration. Civil service reform established the latter and was intended to encourage the former. Nast, who bolted the Republican party in 1884 to endorse Cleveland over Republican nominee James Blaine, credits the election result to himself and other Independent Republicans (or Mugwumps, as they were derisively known). In the left-background stands the U.S. Capitol.
 

 

 

 
 

 

     
 

 

 
     
 

 

 
     
 

 

 

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