President Rutherford Hayes carefully crosses a room littered with "torpedoes" labelled Office Seekers, Carpet Baggers, Radicalism, South Carolina, Louisiana, Democratic Press, Civil Service Reform and Specie Payment.

Tied to his back is his cabinet with Vice-President William Wheeler, Secretary of the Treasury John Sherman and Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz.

In the background James G. Blaine, John Logan, Abram Hewitt and others warily watch his progress.