Fighting Bob, TKO

Graphical History Tour remembers Senator Robert “Fighting Bob” LaFollette on the centennial of his death, June 18, 1925.

"The Sword Is Sheathed" by J.P. Alley in Memphis Commercial Appeal, June 20, 1925

The Progressive Republican from Wisconsin had made his third party run for the presidency just the year before. Had he somehow managed to overcome the odds and get elected, his death would have been the second interrupted presidency in less than two years.

"Another Called" by Ed LeCocq in Des Moines Register, June 20, 1925

Ed LeCocq, taking "Ding" Darling's place on the front page of the Des Moines Register, drew a cartoon eulogizing Senator LaFollette with higher praise than I imagine Darling himself would. As an admirer of Teddy Roosevelt, Darling had issues in common with LaFollette, but was very much against the Wisconsin Senator bolting the Republican Party to run for President on the Progressive Party ticket, as well as his campaign promise of government ownership of railroads and electric utilities.

I haven't been able to check the New York Tribune, but I haven't found any newspaper printing Darling's cartoons the week of LaFollette's death, so I'm guessing that he was on vacation at the time.*

"The Fallen Chieftain" by Tom Foley in Minneapolis Star, June 19, 1925

"The Chief Mourner," unsigned (O. Chopin?) in San Francisco Examiner, June 20, 1925

Tom Foley's and the unsigned cartoon look like typical boilerplate for a memorial cartoons of the era — simply insert motto, name and dates as needed. I'll credit the latter to Oscar Chopin based on style and penmanship, although he didn't have much to say about LaFollette during his lifetime, whereas Foley and the Minneapolis Star were strong supporters of the Progressive movement.

"The Oak Is Gone" by Jesse Cargill for King Features Syndicate (?) ca. June 24, 1925

Jesse Cargill's assessment of LaFollette's legacy rings true. In most of the country, conservative, Wall Street Republicanism dominated the latter half of the 1920's. That would change with the coming of the Great Depression.

The roots of progressivism would thrive in the Democratic Party of FDR, but continued sprouting in the Republican soil of the upper Midwest. The Wisconsin Progressive Party was the dominant political party in LaFollette's home state into the 1930's. 

"The Wisconsin Wild Waves" by Clifford Berryman in Washington (DC) Evening Star, August 19, 1925

Elsewhere, Progressive Republicans lost big in the 1924 elections, but their banner was carried forward by the likes of Senators Hiram Johnson in California and George Norris of Nebraska.

"The Unpopular Victor" by Roy James in St. Louis Star, June 19, 1925

Providing the headline for today's post, Roy James's cartoon may strike one as a bit too macabre. He was, of course, trying to draw something relevant to LaFollette's nickname — it was actually "Fighting Bob," although "Battling Bob" admittedly has alliteration going for it.

"There Never'll Be Another Just Like Him" by Wm. A. Ceperley in Davenport Democrat, June 19, 1925

Wrapping up this week's encomia, I suppose one can't argue with "Cep" Ceperley's tribute, insofar as every person is unique in his, her, or their own way. LaFollette's sons and heirs, however, have carried his legacy on to this day.

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Next week: A Breezy Bequest!

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* Update/Correction: Jay Norwood Darling was sidelined by a major illness for several months in 1925, during which Ed LeCocq filled in for him at the Des Moines Register.