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 The Hill and Tammany Machines

 


 “Prepare to Deliver”
  Cartoonist:  Victor Gillam
  Source:  Judge
  Date:   November 19, 1892, p. 327

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Complete HarpWeek Explanation:
On November 8, 1892, Democrat Grover Cleveland won the presidential election over his 1888 rival, Republican Benjamin Harrison, and Populist James Weaver with an Electoral College victory of 277 to Harrison’s 145 and Weaver’s 22. Cleveland’s margin in the popular vote was the largest in 16 years, 46%-43%-9% (5.6 to 5.2 to 1 million). It was the third consecutive time that he had achieved a popular majority in a presidential election, a feat equaled only by Andrew Jackson and Franklin Roosevelt (who surpassed it with four).

Republican Judge was not happy with the outcome, and this cartoon portrays the election as a victory for Tammany Hall, the Democratic political machine of New York City. The intervention of Tammany late in the campaign on behalf of Cleveland may have helped him win the crucial swing state of New York and the presidential election. Although Cleveland had not made any specific pledge to Tammany Hall, he is depicted here as a boy in fancy dress who must deliver the promised goods to the large Tammany Tiger, emaciated from four years without federal patronage.

 

 

 

 
 

 

     
 

 

 
     
 

 

 
     
 

 

 

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