This cartoon highlights the biennial departure of "lame duck" members of Congress--those who are departing Capitol Hill after losing their bid for reelection. Until the passage of the 20th Amendment in 1933, elections were held in early November even though the new Congress did not convene until March and sometimes as late as December of the following year. Departing members continued to serve for months after the election. The lame ducks in this cartoon are defeated Democrats heading to the White House hoping to secure political appointments from President Woodrow Wilson.