The relative youth of Bryan (36 years old) is mocked by use of the nickname “Willie,” depiction of him as a boy playing at being a soldier, and reference to Lewis Carroll’s book for children, Alice in Wonderland (the title character of which began her journey like the gophers in this cartoon). The latter two aspects also imply that the presidential candidate is disconnected from reality. Editor Schurz expressed frustration at Bryan’s refusal to explain his prophetic pronouncements, such as the alleged relation between wheat and silver prices. Early in the campaign, Schurz called the Democratic nominee a man of good character, but an intellectual lightweight. After reading speeches delivered by Bryan during the candidate’s campaign tour, the editor concluded that the Democrat “has demonstrated his utter incapacity to discuss the money question.”