McKinley , with the exception of his 1893 financial crisis , had avoided scandal and carefully guarded his image , making him difficult to attack . Hanna proved an easier target . Although Davenport had depicted Hanna in his cartoons before the Republican convention in June , these efforts were uninspired . This changed once Davenport got a look at his subject while attending the 1896 Republican National Convention in St. Louis . After three days spent closely observing Hanna managing the convention to secure McKinley 's nomination and passage of a platform supporting the gold standard , Davenport was impressed with Hanna 's dynamic behavior . Convinced that he could effectively lampoon Hanna , Davenport 's cartoons became more effective . Hanna was a tall man ; Davenport exaggerated this trait , in part by shrinking everybody else . He also increased Hanna 's already substantial girth . Hanna 's short sideburns were lengthened and made rougher — Davenport described them as " like an unplaned cedar board " . Davenport borrowed from the animal kingdom for his creation , drawing Hanna 's ears so they stuck out like a monkey 's . The cartoonist described Hanna 's eyes as like a parrot 's , leaving no movement unseen , or as those of a circus elephant — scanning the street for peanuts
1896 Republican National Convention
1896 Republican National Convention
Homer Davenport