Some historical context:
COVER: William McKinley was elected President in 1896. As Secretary of War he chose a decorated Civil War officer, lumber baron Russell Alger. While McKinley remained popular, Russell was accused of incompetence in preparedness for the Spanish American War and took heat for the Army Beef Scandal in which many American soldiers in Cuba were killed by tainted beef rations supplied by low-bid contractors. McKinley stood up for Alger for a while but finally fired him in August of 1899.
PAGE 5: A look back on the previous year. (1) French officer Alfred Dreyfus had spent five years on Devil's Island after being railroaded on a treason charge. Revelations that the Army had covered up evidence identifying the actual traitor raised public outcry. The ship here is taking Dreyfus back to France for a second trial (which he lost). (2) In 1883 the Pendelton Civil Service Act sought to limit the "spoils system" by requiring federal jobs be filled through competitive exams rather than political appointments. McKinley campaigned saying he'd take "no step backward" in Civil Service reforms. However once in office he removed numerous federal positions from Civil Service protection. (3) While governor of Ohio McKinley had established an arbitration program in which the state arbitrated in labor-management disputes. He got a similar measure passed in the US Congress (it was later rescinded). McKinley was big on arbitration in disputes, and this cartoon may also refer to his preference to negotiate differences with Spain rather than going to war. (4) I don't know what "Lions in Africa" is about. Anyone? (5) In the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States. A growing movement for Philippine independence boiled over into a war. U.S. and Philippine forces battled from 1899-1902. The war was not universally popular in the U.S. LIFE Magazine stood staunchly against American intervention.
CENTER SPREAD: McKinley is often cited as the president who created the Washington Press Corps. He recognized the value of the news media in swaying public opinion. Here McKinley's parade is led by the Republican
New York Sun. The President supported high tariffs to protect American businesses, hence the sign on the GOP Elephant's forehead. "Embalmed beef" was General Nelson Miles' term for the chemical-laden, rotting meat supplied to the Army. In the back is another reference to Russell Alger, a frequent LIFE target.
Link to the book:
Life 866
