The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-12
A CAMPAIGN CARTOON.
How ''The Full Dinner Pail" Grew
Into a Paramount Issue.
Leslie's Weekly.

Leslie's Weekly.
1t is a fact as remarkable as it is true
that the clever and original conception of
one of the most famous of American car
toonists. Mr.. Grant f. Hamilton. should
have become the leading slogan. the real
paramount issue, of the great presidential
that has been said in the party platforms,
presidential letters OF acceptance and
stump speeches as TO Imperialism, the cur
rency. trusts and other questions. the DOM
inant and decisive issue, the one around
which the chief interest centered, has been
that expressed in the full dinner pail. From
the time of the appearance of the original
dinner-pail cartoon by Mr.. Hamilton in
the Judge of Oct. IA. 1899, the question then
raised, shall we have four years more of it?
forced itself at once to the front and be-
came the leading Republican war cry of the
campaign. 1t was realized on all sides that
the full dinner pail set forth in the most
striking and expressive way the Republican
contention that the prosperity, happiness
and eontentment of workingmen estab-
lished by the past four years of Republican
administration could only be insured for
Republican ticket. AS to the exact truth OF
this representation, of course, opinions
varied as widely as the variances OF the
political parties, but it was an issue that
could not be lodged by any of them. Some
made light OF IT.; some derided 1t; others
condemned the question as gross and self
ish, but all were compelled to recognize it's
strength and vitality.
And so 1t came about that the full dinner
pail argument, pro ct con, was seen or
heard In many forms and interpretations
all through the campaign in all parts OF
the country. In political editorials, plat
form speeches and cartoons, on campaign
buttons, banners and transparencies the
pail was discussed, pictured and empha-
sized as constant, persistent and decisive
factor In the struggle for party supremacy.
In his tour of New York State Mr.. Bryan
made frequent reference Ito the full dinner
pail and derided it as an argument to
the belly
Governor Roosevelt, in his famous cam
frequent occasion to refer to the dinner
pail argument, and always With forcl
and appositeness. In his speech at New
burg. on Oct. e just after he had been
introduced by Chairman Odell, the Gov
ernor was presented with tin pail hold
ing about a bushel, filed with a fine
variety OF Orange county products and
decorated with a flag. Abiding to this
said that the dinner pail is the barometel
OF trade, and that unless IL is filled power
~; idleness and discomfort must follow.
This has been the line of discussion by
| the Republicans generally. 1t has beer
their contention that 1.-The full dinner pail
means the material comfort of the people
consideratio ton that lies at the very basis
| of all good government and all sound
political economy.
| If it were asked how it came about that
| Mr.. Hamilton was inspired to deal such a
brilliant and effective stroke for the Re
publican administration, partial explana-
| ton might be found I'm the fact that the
cartoonist is Ohio himself; also
/ that he bears a striking resemblance tc
President Mckinley, not only In his ply
sique, but in many strong and enduring
| qualities of character.