CARTOON - THE ROGUE ELEPHANT
1903A full page published black and white cartoon in the Western Mail Christmas number, featuring a bush setting with an elephant being ridden by a man with a beard, wearing white and holding a balloon like object on the end of a string. Written on the side of the elephant is [FEDERAL / GOVERNMENT] and on the balloon [SPEECHES] The elephant is trampling over a picnic rug with plates and glasses laid out on it. Written on the picnic rug it [STATE INTERESTS] A rotund man in a waistcoat, with a monocle and a white piece of paper floating behind his head is running beside the elephant because the lead to his dog is twisted around the font foot of the elephant. The dog is running in terror in front of the elephant. On the piece of paper is written [PROMISES] In the bushes on the left side of the image are three young women in white dresses, two are wearing hats. Written on the three women [N.S.W], [S. AUSTRALIA] and [VICTORIA] Up in a tree in the top right of the cartoon is a man in a suit holding onto a branch.
In the bottom left corner is a black box with white text reading [The Rogue Elephant / And The States Picnic / of 1903. / Chorus of Girls; / "Why he's / smashing all / the crockery!"]. Ben Strange signature bottom right corner.
Ben Strange was a cartoonist for the Western Mail from 1898 to 1930.
This cartoon features Prime Minster Alfred Deakin riding a rogue elephant and trampling the 'state interests' at a picnic being held by the states. In 1903 Deakin introduced legislation to form the High Court of Australia. This was opposed by the states and newspapers as a threat to 'State Rights' and an example of Federal extravagance. In the tree is Edmund Barton (Australia's first PM) who in 1903 resigned from parliament to join the newly formed High Court.
Ben Strange was always very cautious about Federation and was a strong supporter of states rights. In this case he believed that Deakin and the Federal Government were breaking promises and trampling state rights.
Details
Details
Artist's signature bottom right [Ben Strange]
Western Australia
Australia
MEDIUM
Copyright and Reference
Copyright and Reference
City of Armadale - History House
City of Armadale - History House
Other items by Ben Strange
- CARTOON - TRANSFUSION OF BLOOD
- CARTOON - THE DECIDING FACTOR
- CARTOON - THE WATCH DOG
- CARTOON - SIR WALTERS NEW MASH
- CARTOON - THE CRUCIFICTION OF REASON
- CARTOON - UNDER WHICH SCALE
- CARTOON - THE WAITS CHRISTMAS 1916
- CARTOON - A LITTLE BABY WITH A BIG BOTTLE
- CARTOON - THE PREMIERS CONFERENCE BOVRILISED: BUT THE STATES LIVES IN HOPE
- CARTOON - ADRIFT - DROPPING THE PILOT
- CARTOON - CROWD AROUND CAR
- CARTOON - EXCUSE ME I HAVE A DEPUTATION TO MEET
Other items from City of Armadale - History House
- WOODTURNING TOOL CUSTOMIZED BY JACK DE VOS
- WOODTURNING TOOL USED BY JACK DE VOS
- WOODTURNING TOOL
- WOODTURNING HOLLOWING TOOL MADE BY JACK DE VOS
- WOODTURNING TOOL
- BOX OF HAND MADE DECORATIONS (UNFINISHED)
- VASE (UNFINISHED)
- TICKET - MUNDIJONG & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY BURNS DINNER DANCE
- PLAQUE - L.R.HUGHES
- BASKETBALL VEST
- ARMADALE P.C.Y.C. POLO SHIRT
- ARMADALE ARENA POLO SHIRT - ASSISTANT MANAGER