Then and now: Capitalism vs. Labor 1883, and today


Alas, it’s almost exactly the same now as then:

F. Graetz cartoon, joust between business and labor, Puck, Aug 1, 1883

"Tournament of Today: A set-to between Labor and Monopoly," Cartoon by Frederick Graetz, Puck Magazine, August 1, 1883 (from files of Georgia State University); click image for a larger view at Georgia State

Information on the cartoon, from SuperITCH: Frederick Graetz, a chromolithograph that was the center spread for Puck Magazine‘s issue of August 1, 1883.  Monopolists portrayed are, from left to right, “businessman, financier and telecommunications pioneer Cyrus Field; railroad tycoon William Vanderbilt; shipbuilding magnate John Roach; financier, railroad mogul, and speculator Jay Gould; and an unknown monopolist.”  Some might say that the “unknown monopolist” bears a striking resemblance to one of the Koch brothers, but that’s fanciful thinking.

Cartoon - Labor vs Monopoly, Graetz, Puck 8-1-1883 (GSU image)

Labor vs Monopoly - click on this image for a larger version of this historic Puck Magazine cartoon

Tip of the old scrub brush to One Penny Sheet’s “condemned to repeat” feature.

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4 Responses to Then and now: Capitalism vs. Labor 1883, and today

  1. Occupy Wall Street…

    [...]Then and now: Capitalism vs. Labor 1883, and today « Millard Fillmore's Bathtub[...]…

  2. Nick K says:

    From: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/04/13/966570/-Just-Restore-the-Clinton-Tax-Rates!

    Oh look. WHen clinton increased the marginal tax rate the economy got better and government revenues went up.

    When Bush cut the marginal rate, the economy crashed and government revenues went down.

    SO yes, Republicans, we do have a spending problem…the spending problem is that you jagoffs keep on spending on massive tax cuts.

    So knock it off.

  3. Nick K says:

    Oh I hope you’re being sarcastic when you say “good old days”

  4. mark says:

    Those are the good old days, to which Republicans wish to take our country back.

Play nice in the Bathtub -- don't splash soap in anyone's eyes.

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