ith the Independent (or Mugwump) bolt from Republican ranks, following the
party's nomination of James Blaine for president, cartoonist Bernhard Gillam
believes the Democrats need to choose a nominee who can attract their votes.
Here, Democratic candidates try to shoot their arrows from the Independent
Republican bow in hopes of hitting the 1884 presidential target.
Representative James Randall of Pennsylvania (far left) is hobbled by his
support of tariff protectionism because many Independents were thought to favor
free trade. In front of Randall stands former congressman and governor Benjamin
Butler of Massachusetts as the "clown of the campaign." Former
congressman Henry Payne of Ohio flexes his biceps, but his sight is hampered by
his connection with Standard Oil. Former congressman Roswell Flower of New York
readies the bow for his arrow of "No Record." Flower was backed by
Tammany Hall, the influential New York City Democratic machine, but the New York
state delegation endorsed Governor Grover Cleveland, causing Flower's candidacy
to wilt.
On the right, Speaker of the House John Carlisle of Kentucky, sits patiently,
waiting to shoot his arrow of "Tariff Reform" (low tariffs or free
trade). A tall, muscular Cleveland stands, arms crossed, staring intently as his
New York rival sweats under the pressure. Cleveland's arrow is that of
"Reform" generally, but particularly symbolizes civil service reform,
a leading cause of the Independent Republicans. Behind the New York governor is
his main competitor for the nomination, Senator Thomas Bayard of Delaware, whose
"Good Record" arrow alludes to the respected and popular senator's
advocacy of civil service reform, free trade, and the gold standard, all of
which appealed to the Independents. In the center background, sits the previous
Democratic nominee of 1876, Samuel Tilden of New York, upon his barrel of money
(signifying his great wealth). He reluctantly withdrew from the race because of
ill health.