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The defense - Drawing. Public domain image.

The defense - Drawing. Public domain image.

description

Summary

The three-frame cartoon sequence portrays Sulzer's attack on Murphy. In the first frame, Murphy sits on the deck of a boat with a large cannon, drinking a glass of "Highway Loot" when his "bagman" points to an approaching enemy ship. Next, Murphy stands and orders his "Chief Bagman Gaffney," a "Hold-up Man," a "Grafter," and another "Bagman," to flee the deck as an approaching war ship, the "John Doe," fires "Sulzer's Testimony" at the Tammany crew. In the final scene, Murphy retaliates, shooting "Lies," "Perjury," and "Slander" from his cannon. Pleased with the job, he congratulates his crew.
No copyright information found with item.
Signed, lower right: Clubb 14 / [club logogram].
Title inscribed in pencil below image.
Bequest and gift; Caroline and Erwin Swann; 1974; (DLC/PP-1974:232.904)
An investigation into alleged fraud in the New York State Highway Department, linked Tammany Democrats and Tammany boss Charles Murphy (1858-1924) with widespread corruption. Dubbed the John Doe trial, Attorney General Charles Seymour Whitman presented the inquiry to the Grand Jury of the state of New York. The most damaging testimony came from former Governor William Sulzer, whose impeachment as governor in 1913 was largely due to a power struggle between he and Murphy. Sulzer revealed to the Grand Jury, a scheme involving Murphy and his chief "bagman" James Gaffney, in which they succeeded in acquiring large campaign contributions from companies in return for state contracts.
Published in: The Rochester Herald, January 24, 1914.

date_range

Date

01/01/1914
person

Contributors

Clubb, John Scott, 1875-1934, artist
place

Location

create

Source

Library of Congress
copyright

Copyright info

No known restrictions on publication. No renewal in Copyright Office.

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