Cameron Miranda
Can the Law Reach Him?—The Dwarf and the Giant Thief is a political cartoon by Thomas Nast, published in Harper's Weekly on January 6, 1872. It depicts William M. Boss Tweed, who had recently resigned as Commissioner of Public Works and was facing criminal charges for his time running the Democratic political machine known as Tammany Hall. Tweed is illustrated as a giant among men, alluding to his power and influence, which continued even after his resignation. The cartoon captures the public's uncertainty about whether justice would be served, given Tweed's extensive sway.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Can the Law Reach Him? - The Dwarf and the Giant Thief |
| Artist | Thomas Nast |
| Publication | Harper's Weekly |
| Date | January 6, 1872 |
| Subject | William M. "Boss" Tweed |
| Context | Tweed's resignation and criminal charges |
| Message | Depiction of Tweed's power and influence |
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What You'll Learn
Thomas Nast's political cartoon
Thomas Nast, a German-born political cartoonist, is considered America's best-ever political cartoonist. Nast gave America some of its most enduring symbols, including the Republican elephant, the Democratic donkey, and Uncle Sam. He also created the modern image of Santa Claus. Nast published regularly in Harper's Weekly and drew thousands of cartoons during the second half of the nineteenth century.
Nast's career as a cartoonist began in 1862 when he joined Harper's Weekly, one of the most widely circulated magazines in the United States at the time. He worked for the publication for the next twenty-five years, rising to prominence as a political cartoonist. Nast's star shone brightest during the Civil War and Reconstruction, when he had virtually no competition, and his work continued through the first decade of the Gilded Age.
Nast's most memorable victory was bringing down New York's corrupt and entrenched Boss (William) Tweed and his Ring of thieves in 1871. This was achieved through an informal collaboration with The New York Times. Nast's crusade against Tammany and Tweed made him a household name and a national celebrity. His anti-Tammany Hall political cartoon featuring William M. "Boss" Tweed, titled "Can the Law Reach Him?", was published in Harper's Weekly in 1872.
Nast's cartoons were known for their artistic talent, keen political perception, devastating satire, inventive genius, and unquenchable conviction. He championed the Union's cause and the dignity of Black people during the Civil War, drawing many patriotic and sentimental scenes of Union soldiers freeing enslaved people in the South. However, Nast's racial attitudes, like those of many other Americans, were not without contradictions. As Reconstruction-era corruption and violence spun out of control, he drew cartoons that criticized Black legislators as strongly as earlier cartoons had championed Black suffrage and lamented white supremacist violence.
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William M. Boss Tweed's criminal charges
William Magear "Boss" Tweed was an American politician who played a major role in the politics of 19th-century New York City and State. He was the head of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party's political machine. Tweed's time in power was marked by threats, murders, bribes, and extensive embezzlement. It is estimated that he stole between $25 million and $45 million from New York City taxpayers, though later estimates put the figure as high as $200 million (equivalent to $5 billion in 2024).
Tweed was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1852 and quickly rose through the ranks of local politics, serving as a volunteer firefighter, school commissioner, member of the county board of supervisors, and street commissioner. By the late 1850s, he had become the head of Tammany Hall and was elected to the New York State Senate in 1867. Tweed's greatest influence came from his appointed positions on various boards and commissions, his control over political patronage in New York City, and his ability to ensure voter loyalty through jobs he could create and dispense on city-related projects.
Tammany Hall, under Tweed, engaged in corrupt politics, including election manipulations and intimidation tactics to keep ballot counts under their control. They often received more votes than there were eligible voters in a district, and used violence and hired thugs or crooked cops to sway voters' minds. However, despite their corrupt practices, Tammany Hall undoubtedly helped the immigrants and poor of the city by providing essential services and naturalizing thousands of recent immigrants as American citizens, giving adult men the right to vote.
Tweed faced criminal charges for his involvement in the Canal Ring and was convicted and placed in jail, though he escaped from the Ludlow Street jail in 1875 while awaiting trial. He was found guilty in absentia in March 1876 and fled to Cuba and then to Spain before being captured and returned to New York City to serve out his sentence. He died in prison on April 12, 1878, and is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
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The giant thief and the dwarf
Thomas Nast's political cartoon, "Can the Law Reach Him?" published in Harper's Weekly in 1872, depicts William M. Tweed, also known as "Boss" Tweed, as a giant thief. Tweed was a powerful figure in New York City politics, running the Democratic political machine known as Tammany Hall. His time in power was marked by threats, murders, bribes, and extensive embezzlement, with estimates placing the amount he stole from New York City taxpayers at over $30 million.
In the cartoon, a police officer has captured a smaller thief, but struggles to apprehend the giant Tweed, symbolizing the challenges faced in holding Tweed accountable for his crimes due to his power and influence. This struggle is further emphasized by the caption, "Can the Law Reach Him?", questioning whether Tweed can be brought to justice despite his powerful position.
The dwarf in the cartoon is a lesser figure, possibly representing the average citizen or the law itself, dwarfed by the giant thief, Tweed. The dwarf looks up at the giant, who towers above him, emphasizing the power imbalance between the two figures. The dwarf's expression may convey frustration or determination, adding to the narrative of the struggle between the two.
The publication of this cartoon came at a pivotal time, as Tweed had recently resigned as Commissioner of Public Works and was facing criminal charges. The question of whether he could be convicted was on everyone's lips, and Nast's cartoon dramatized this very dilemma. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Tweed's influence remained strong, and it wasn't until the second trial, a year after the cartoon's publication, that he was convicted and jailed, albeit briefly.
Nast's "Can the Law Reach Him?" serves as a powerful commentary on the state of affairs in New York City politics at the time, highlighting the challenges of combating corruption and impunity, with Tweed's giant figure literally and metaphorically towering over the law, leaving the dwarf struggling to reach him.
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Tammany Hall and Tweed's power
The cartoon "Can the Law Reach Him?" by Thomas Nast, published in Harper's Weekly on January 6, 1872, offers a dramatic portrayal of William M. "Boss" Tweed, who had run the Democratic political machine known as Tammany Hall for many years. Tweed's time in power was marked by threats, murders, bribes, and extensive embezzlement, with estimates placing the amount he stole from New York City taxpayers at over $30 million.
Nast's cartoon depicts Tweed as a giant among men, emphasizing his power and influence. The image plays on Tweed's stature, as even after being ousted from Tammany Hall, he continued to wield significant sway. The police officer in the cartoon has captured a lesser thief but struggles to apprehend the giant, symbolizing the challenges in holding Tweed accountable for his crimes.
Tammany Hall, under the leadership of Boss Tweed, represented a powerful political force in New York City during the mid-to-late 19th century. Tweed's influence extended beyond the confines of the organization, impacting the city's politics and governance. Tammany Hall's influence was so pervasive that it effectively controlled the Democratic Party in New York City, and by extension, the city's government. This grip on power allowed Tweed and his associates to engage in widespread corruption, using their positions for personal gain.
Tweed's power within Tammany Hall and New York City politics was substantial. He served as the chairman of the general committee of Tammany Hall and was a member of the New York County Board of Supervisors. Tweed also held the position of New York State Senator and was appointed to the powerful position of Commissioner of Public Works. These positions provided him with ample opportunities to engage in corruption and embezzlement, funneling city funds into his own pockets and those of his associates.
Despite Tweed's eventual resignation as Commissioner of Public Works and the subsequent criminal charges he faced, his influence remained strong. The first criminal trial against him, held in January 1873, a year after Nast's cartoon was published, resulted in a mistrial. It was only during the second trial that Tweed was convicted and incarcerated, though his sentence was brief. Tweed's ability to evade justice for a period, even after his removal from Tammany Hall, underscores the enduring power and influence he held, as depicted in Nast's cartoon.
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The police officer's struggle with the giant thief
The dwarf, a symbol of the law, stands in stark contrast to the towering thief. The dwarf's diminutive size emphasizes the challenge the law faces in holding Tweed accountable for his misdeeds. The law appears almost helpless in the face of such overwhelming power, yet it perseveres in its struggle, determined to bring the giant thief to justice.
The scene is a dramatic portrayal of the complex dynamics at play. The police officer, representing the forces of justice, finds himself in a seemingly impossible situation. He has already apprehended a lesser thief, but the giant remains elusive, symbolizing the difficulty in bringing powerful figures like Tweed to account. The dwarf-like officer struggles to get a grip on the giant, his efforts akin to trying to restrain a force of nature.
The giant thief, with his larger-than-life presence, embodies the corruption and criminality that plagued Tweed's tenure. His size serves as a visual metaphor for the extent of his influence and the depth of his wrongdoing. The struggle depicted in the cartoon is not just physical but also symbolic of the moral and legal battle between good and evil, order and chaos.
As the dwarf-like officer grapples with the giant, the scene conveys a sense of determination and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. It is a visual representation of the enduring belief in justice and the rule of law, even when confronted with immense power and influence. The struggle is a testament to the unwavering pursuit of accountability, no matter how challenging the path may be.
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Frequently asked questions
The cartoon "Can the Law Reach Him?" by Thomas Nast depicts William M. "Boss" Tweed, who had run the Democratic political machine known as Tammany Hall for many years. Tweed is shown as a giant among men, illustrating his power and influence, even after being ousted from his position. The cartoon was published in Harper's Weekly on January 6, 1872, after Tweed resigned as Commissioner of Public Works and faced criminal charges.
William M. Tweed was a powerful political figure in New York City during the mid-19th century. His time in power was marked by threats, murders, bribes, and extensive embezzlement. It is estimated that he stole more than $30 million from New York City taxpayers while in office. After his resignation as Commissioner of Public Works in December 1871, he faced criminal charges, and the question of whether he could be convicted was on everyone's lips.
The cartoon dramatizes the question of whether Tweed could be convicted and brought to justice, given his immense power and influence. In the cartoon, a police officer has captured a lesser thief but struggles to get a hold of the giant, representing Tweed. This struggle symbolizes the challenge of holding Tweed accountable for his crimes, even as he loomed large in the political landscape.
Yes, despite his initial influence, Tweed was ultimately convicted and placed in jail during his second criminal trial in 1873, a year after the cartoon "Can the Law Reach Him?" was published. However, his sentence was relatively short given the extent of his crimes.
