The smelling committee

The smelling committee

Item Information

Title:
The smelling committee
Description:
The failed impeachment proceedings initiated by the Radical Republicans against President Andrew Johnson in 1868 are likened to a dead horse: exuding a great stench with no hope for revival. Several figures involved in the impeachment proceedings surround the rotting carcass of a horse wrapped in a blanket "impeachment," holding their noses from the smell. The men are (from left to right) John A. Logan, George S. Boutwell, Thomas Williams, Benjamin F. Butler, Thaddeus Stevens, and John A. Bingham. Boutwell pulls the tail of the horse, saying, "I fear we are getting mired, but I certainly smell corruption." Wilson wonders, "Can it be possible that our hobby is decaying already." Butler replies, pointing to a plant with the head of journalist Thurlow Weed, "No its this confounded old Weed called Thurlow that makes the bad smell." Radical Republican leader Thaddeus Stevens observes, "If we could get another charge into him, he might pull through yet." Bingham says, "Alas! Seven had proved a fatal number to him." The acquittal of the President was made possible by the votes of seven Republican senators. At right stands Johnson with a ram "30,000." "It's no use Gentlemen," he says, "your old nag is dead and you can't ride it any more' my Woolley friend finished him."
Artist:
Cameron, John, approximately 1828-
Name on Item:
Cameron
Date:
1868
Format:
Prints
Genre:
Political cartoons
Lithographs
Location:
Boston Public Library
Arts Department
Civil War & Reconstruction, Cartoon & caricature [1861-1876] (shelf locator)
Collection (local):
Americana Collection
Subjects:
Impeachments
Presidents
Legislators
Sheep
Horses
Journalists
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893
Boutwell, George S. (George Sewall), 1818-1905
Williams, Thomas, 1806-1872
Stevens, Thaddeus, 1792-1868
Bingham, John Armor, 1815-1900
Logan, John Alexander, 1826-1886
Wilson, James F. (James Falconer), 1828-1895
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875
Weed, Thurlow, 1797-1882
Extent:
1 print : lithograph ; 13 1/2 x 17 3/4 in.
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/fj236436d
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Publisher:
Entered according to act of Congress… by Currier & Ives
Language:
English
Notes:
Title from item.
Summary from: Library of Congress Print & Photographs Collection.
Accession #:
11_03_000118