MSS 308 - Homer Hitt Collection of Editorial Cartoons: :

Homer Hitt COLLECTION of Editorial Cartoons

(Mss 308)

Inventory

Earl K. Long Library

University of New Orleans

 

Summary

 

 

Size:                          27 items (6 linear feet)

Geographic

locations:                 New Orleans, La.

Inclusive dates:      1963-1980

Bulk dates:              1965-1970

Summary:                Original editorial cartoons pertaining to Louisiana State University in New Orleans (later the University of New Orleans), collected by and mostly inscribed by the cartoonists to Dr. Homer Hitt, founding chancellor of the university.  The cartoons appeared on WDSU-TV (New Orleans) and in various local print media.

Related
collections:              Ralph Vinson Collection (Mss 26); Alec Gifford WDSU Television Archive of New Orleans Broadcasting (Mss 277); University of New Orleans Archives (Mss 159); Homer Hitt Scrapbooks Collection (Mss 290)

Source:                     Gift

Access:                     No restrictions

Copyright:                Physical rights are retained by the Earl K. Long Library, University of New Orleans.

Citation:                    Homer Hitt Collection of Editorial Cartoons, Earl K. Long Library, University of New Orleans

 

 

Historical Note

 

            The first appointment of an official to the staff of the fledgling Louisiana State University in New Orleans (now the University of New Orleans) was that of Homer L. Hitt (b. 1916), who was named dean of LSUNO on December 14, 1957.  At the time, Hitt was associate dean of the graduate school and head of the departments of sociology and rural sociology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.  A native of Comanche, Texas, Hitt earned bachelor of science (1935) and master of arts (1937) degrees at LSU and a master of arts degree (1938) and a doctorate (1941) at Harvard University.  His publications include The People of Louisiana (with T. Lynn Smith; LSU Press, 1952).  An authority on population, Hitt was one of five scholars from the United States to be elected to the International Union of the Scientific Study of Population in 1952.  Hitt’s status at LSUNO was changed in 1959 to vice president and in 1963 to chancellor.  He retired from that position in 1980.

 

               LSUNO opened on Friday, September 5, 1958, with an inaugural convocation.  A faculty of 63 offered freshman-level courses only to a racially integrated student body of 1,459.  Additional courses were added each year until a full four-year curriculum was available, with the first, 102-member graduating class completing their studies in the spring of 1962.  Graduate courses were introduced the following year.  While the number of students soared, however, the university remained underfunded, and in the 1960s, sentiment for separating the New Orleans branch of Louisiana State University administratively from the Baton Rouge campus.  Together with the LSU Board of Supervisors’ unsuccessful effort to oust Chancellor Hitt in the summer of 1965, these are the three main recurring themes of editorial cartoons of the period.  Some few deal with other themes.

 

            Many of the cartoons were drawn by John Chase.  Born and educated in New Orleans, except while studying art at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, Chase initially received national fame as a cartoonist for the New Orleans States-Item. He was also an author, an illustrator for national periodicals and many books, a popular public speaker, and, beginning in 1964, the creator of the first regularly scheduled TV editorial cartoons for WDSU-TV.

 

Series and Series Descriptions

 

Series I.         Inadequate funding for Louisiana State University in New Orleans (LSUNO) / University of New Orleans (UNO)

 

                                    Three editortial cartoons by [John] Chase, two by Ralph Vinson, two by [Eldon] Pletcher, and one by Bartlett commenting on (LS)UNO’s soaring enroll­ment and inadequate budget (February 18, 1965 – March 27, 1978).

 

Series II.        Efforts to separate Louisiana State University in New Orleans from Louisiana State University (LSU)

 

                                    Five editorial cartoons by [John] Chase, one by Ralph Vinson, and one by [Eldon] Pletcher commenting on efforts to separate Louisiana State University in New Orleans from Louisiana State University and to change its name to the University of New Orleans (May 8, 1965 – February 7, 1974).

 

Series III.       Conflict between the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors and Chancellor Hitt

 

                                    Three editorial cartoons by [John] Chase and three by Ralph Vinson commenting on an attempt by the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors to oust Homer Hitt from the position of Chancellor of Louisiana State University in New Orleans (July 21, 1965 – August 3, 1965).

 

Series IV.      Funding for the University of New Orleans (UNO) Assembly Center

 

                                    Two editorial cartoons by [Eldon] Pletcher and one by Bartlett commenting on the uncertainty of funding for construction of a new assembly center for the University of New Orleans (June 9, 1977 – June 15, 1979).

 

Series V.       Selection of a new chancellor

 

                  One editorial cartoon by Bryon [?] commenting on the selection of a new chancellor to succeed Homer Hitt (1980).

Series VI.      Other depictions of Homer Hitt

 

Container List

 

 

Series I.  Inadequate funding for Louisiana State University in New Orleans (LSUNO) / University of New Orleans (UNO)

 

308-1         “Fastest-growing university in Louisiana!”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by [John] Chase, WDSU-TV, February 18, 1965 (41.8 x 49.0 cm.).  Depicts LSUNO as a large tiger cub being pushed in a baby carriage by LSU as a mother tiger.

 

308-2         “LSUNO’s 1966 size budget / possible 9,000 fall enrollment 1968.”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by Ralph Vinson, [New Orleans States-Item], [1968] (50.0 x 37.0 cm.).  Depicts Homer Hitt attempting to balance a small budget against a growing student body.  Inscribed: “To Dr. Homer Hitt with my very best wishes, Ralph Vinson.”

 

308-3         “One thing, Homer—they sure are separating us from the money!”  Color editorial cartoon by [John] Chase, WDSU-TV, March 4, 1970 (43.0 x 53.0 cm.).  Depicts Homer Hitt holding a stack of papers representing “growing enrollment” while “New Orleans” reads “Plans . . . to separate LSUNO from the system.”  Inscribed: “For my friend, Homer Hitt . . . Sincerely, John Chase.”

 

308-4         “After 12 years that’s getting monotonous, ain’t it?”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by Ralph Vinson, New Orleans States-Item, March 5, 1970 (50.0 x 37.0 cm.).  “Administra­tion’s proposed budget” shortchanges LSUNO, depicted in tattered academic attire on the bottom rung of a ladder.

 

308-5         “Growing Pains.”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by [Eldon] Pletcher, New Orleans Times-Picayune, March 8, 1970 (51.0 x 39.0 cm.).  Depicts LSUNO as a growing academic painfully bumping his shoulders against a ceiling labeled “proposed budget allocation.”  Inscribed: “Dr. Homer Hitt, with all good wishes.”

 

308-6         “Rear entrance, delivery and servicemen.”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by Ralph Vinson, New Orleans States-Item, March 13, 1970 (50.0 x 37.0 cm.).  Depicts a ragged LSUNO seeking a handout at an alley door labeled “LSU System.”

 

308-7         “The Neglected Satellite.”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by [Eldon] Pletcher, New Orleans Times-Picayune, March 18, 1970 (50.0 x 40.0 cm.).  Depicts books orbiting around the LSU System while a tattered LSUNO attempts to thumb a ride.  Inscribed by Pletcher: “To Dr. Homer Hitt with best wishes, Eldon Pletcher.”

 

308-8         Untitled black-and-white front-page cartoon by Bartlett, New Orleans Times-Picayune, March 27, 1978 [i.e. March 30, 1978] (34.0 x 26.3).  Depicts UNO as Cinderella—small, ragged, holding a broom—among plump, richly attired sister institutions LSU, Southern [University in] Baton Rouge, and USL.

 

 

Series II.  Efforts to separate Louisiana State University in New Orleans from Louisiana State University (LSU)

 

308-9         “Knotty Problem . . .”  Color editorial cartoon by [John] Chase, WDSU-TV, May 8, 1965 (28.5 x 62.0 cm.).  Depicts LSUNO and LSU as snarling tigers whose tails are tied together in a knot.  Each tiger is drawn on a separate panel.  When the cartoon was aired on WDSU-TV, the panels were moved to make the tigers appear to be trying to pull apart.  Inscribed: “For my friend Homer Hitt.  Sincerely . . . John Chase.”

 

308-10       “Memo to LSU Board of Supervisors.”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by Ralph Vinson, New Orleans States-Item, July 27, 1965 (34.5 x 26 cm.).  Excerpt “from news report on Governor’s [John McKeithen’s] May 5 visit to LSUNO, represented as a news­paper clipping.  “On the proposed separation of LSUNO from the parent campus at Baton Rouge, the governor said, ‘This problem addresses itself primary to the state Legislature and secondarily to the LSU Board of Supervisors. . . . He added that he agrees with Chancellor Homer L. Hitt’s refusal to comment on the proposal.  ‘I feel that he is correct in taking no stand.  He is primarily an educator, not a legislator.  It would be inappropriate for him to become involved in an issue of this sort,’ McKeithen said.”

 

308-11       “Why should the LSU Board object to LSUNO pulling out?  The board pulled out on us!”  Color editorial cartoon by John Chase, WDSU-TV, March 6, 1968 (50.0 x 59.0 cm.).  Depicts “LSU Board” as a plank over water with Homer Hitt, representing LSUNO, standing on the portion of the plank that rests on land; “New Orleans” holds a sheet of paper reading, “Separate LSUNO from LSU.”  Inscribed: “For my friend Homer Hitt who really needs a television station to exhibit this!  Best Regards, John Chase.”

 

308-12       “I’m big enough to leave th’ nest!”  Color editorial cartoon by John Chase, WDSU-TV, June 18, 1968 (52.0 x 63.0 cm.).  Depicts LSU as a nesting hen sitting on “chick” LSUNO, which is almost as large as its mother.  Inscribed: “For my friend Homer Hitt . . . Hope you solo soon!”

 

308-13       “Seems time I left th’ nest. . .”  Color editorial cartoon by John Chase, WDSU-TV, Janu­ary 18, 1973 (45.0 x 59.0 cm.).  Depicts LSU System as a nesting hen that has hatched a LSUNO Privateer.  Inscribed: “From John Chase for his friend Homer Hitt . . .”

 

308-14       “Cheers from the University of New Orleans.”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by [Eldon] Pletcher, New Orleans Times-Picayune, February 6, 1974 (49.0 x 40.0 cm.).  Depicts two jubilant students behind a sign that has been changed from “LSUNO” to “UNO”; the University Center is visible in the background.  Inscribed: “For Chancellor Hitt, with all good wishes—  Eldon Pletcher.”

 

308-15       “I’ve always loved you, Honey, and now you have taken my name!”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by John Chase, Clarion, February 7, 1974 (39.5 x 50.0 cm.).  Depicts “Father New Orleans” and the University of New Orleans as a Southern belle.  Inscribed: “Another on his favorite subject for my friend, Homer Hitt.  Sincerely, John Chase.”

 

 

Series III.  Conflict between the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors and Chancellor Hitt

 

308-16       “LSU Board.”  Color editorial cartoon by John Chase, WDSU-TV, July 21, 1965 (51.0 x 46.0 cm.).  Depicts Homer Hitt on the end of a board labeled “LSU Board” as a saw begins sawing off the section of board upon which he is standing. Inscribed: Best Wishes To The Man In The Picture!  From his friend—  John Chase.”

 

308-17       “Rumors of Dr. Hitt’s dismissal.”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by Ralph Vinson, New Orleans States-Item, July 22, 1965 (34.0 x 26.0 cm.).  Depicts a crying baby in a basket labeled “Rumors of Dr. Hitt’s dismissal,” on the doorstep of the LSU Board of Supervisors.

 

308-18       “Somebody’s liable to get hit . . . and not Hitt!”  Color editorial cartoon by [John] Chase, WDSU-TV, July 23, 1965 (41.0 x 52.0 cm.).  Depicts “New Orleans” holding a large, rolled paper labeled, “Public opinion in support of LSUNO’s Chancellor.”

 

308-19       “LSU Board of Supervisors, Regular Meeting Saturday, Aug. 7^th.”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by Ralph Vinson, New Orleans States-Item, July 31, 1965 (34.5 x 26.0 cm.).  Pictures the door of the Board of Supervisors’ meeting room behind a doorknob-high pile of messages supportive of Dr. Hitt.

 

308-20       “The Governor can’t interfere . . . Homer, Baby!”  Color editorial by [John] Chase, WDSU-TV, August 2, 1965 (39.0 x 46.0 cm.).  Depicts Gov. John McKeithen holding in one hand a paper reading, “LSU Board and Dr. Hitt,” while his other hand rests protectively on Hitt’s shoulder.

 

308-21       “Rumors of Dr. Hitt’s Dismissal.”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by Ralph Vinson, New Orleans States-Item, August 3, 1965 (34.0 x 26.0 cm.).  Depicts the rumors as a balloon being punctured by an arrow labeled “LSU Board: ‘No truth whatever.’”

 

 

Series IV.  Funding for the University of New Orleans (UNO) Assembly Center

 

308-22       “At Long Last, a Reality?”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by [Eldon] Pletcher, New Orleans Times-Picayune, June 9, 1977 (44.0 x 34.0 cm.).  Depicts a proposed UNO Assembly Center.  Inscribed: “For Chancellor Homer Hitt, with all good wishes.  Eldon Pletcher.”

 

308-23       “UNO Assembly Center Jackpot.”  Black-and-white front-page cartoon by Bartlett, New Orleans Times-Picayune, March 29, 1978 (34.0 x 26.0 cm.).  Depicts Gov. Edwin Edwards playing a slot machine upon which his concurrence, along with that already given by the public and by New Orleans legislators, is needed to hit the jackpot of an assembly center.

 

308-24       “A Thief in the Day.”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by [Eldon] Pletcher, New Orleans Times-Picayune, June 15, 1978 (39.0 x 29.5 cm.).  Depicts “State Employees Pay Hike” as a thief stealing money from a bag labeled “UNO Assembly Center Funds.”  Inscribed: “For Chancellor Homer Hitt, with all good wishes.  Eldon Pletcher.”  Gift of William L. Savage, Professor Emeritus of History.

 

 

Series V.       Selection of a new chancellor

 

308-25       “Talk about a battle for independence!”  Black-and-white editorial cartoon by Byron, New Orleans Times-Picayune, 1980 (46.0 x 41.0 cm.).  Depicts a monument inscribed, “In commemoration of the UNO professors’ gallant victory over politics in the selection of the university’s new chancellor.”

 

 

Series VI.      Other depictions of Homer Hitt

308-26       “Dr. Hitt Is ‘Headliner-of-Year.”  Front page of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, November 25, 1963 (66.0 x 41.0 cm.).  Announces the presentation to Chancellor Hitt of the first “Headliner-of-the-Year” award by the Press Club of New Orleans.  Hitt was honored for his leading role in “bringing state-supported higher education to the city of New Orleans.”

 

308-27       “Thirty Five Top New Orleanians.”  Five caricatures by Austin Briggs, [between 1964 and 1970] (40.0 x 29.5 cm.): Gerald L. Andrus, President, Middle South Services, Inc.; Victor H. Schiro, Mayor; John J. McKeithen, Governor; E. Lyle Aschaffenburg, President, The Pontchartrain Hotel; Larry Fabacher, Vice-President, Jackson Brewing Co.; Dr. Homer L. Hitt, Chancellor of Louisiana State University in New Orleans; and The Honorable Thomas F. Donelon, President, Jefferson Parish Council.

 

 

Chronological Index

 

 

1963

 

November 23       308-26

 

 

1964

 

[?]                          308-27

 

 

1965

 

February 18         308-1

May 8                    308-9

July 21                  308-16

July 22                  308-17

July 23                  308-18

July 27                  308-10

July 31                  308-19

August 2               308-20

August 3               308-21

 

 

1968

 

March 6                308-11

June 18                308-12

[Summer]             308-2

 

 

1970

 

March 4          308-3

March 5                308-4

March 8                308-5

March 13              308-6

March 18              308-7

 

 

1973

 

January 18           308-13

 

 

1974

 

February 6           308-14

February 7           308-15

 

 

1977

 

June 9                   308-22

 

 

1978

 

March 27              308-8

March 29              308-23

June 15                308-24

 

 

1980

 

308-25

 

 

Cartoonist Index

 

 

Bartlett,

 

308-8

308-23

 

 

Briggs, Austin

 

308-27

 

 

Byron,

 

308-25

 

 

Chase, John

 

308-1

308-3

308-9

308-11

308-12

308-13

308-15

308-16

308-18

308-20

 

 

Pletcher, Eldon

 

308-5

308-7

308-14

308-22

308-24

 

 

Vinson, Ralph

 

308-2

308-4

308-6

308-10

308-17

308-19

308-21

 

 

Media Index

 

 

Clarion

 

308-15

 

 

States-Item

 

308-2

308-4

308-6

308-10

308-17

308-19

308-21

 

 

Times-Picayune

 

308-4

308-7

308-8

308-14

308-22

308-23

308-24

308-25

308-26

 

 

WDSU-TV

 

308-1

308-3

308-9

308-11

308-12

308-13

308-16

308-18

308-20

 

 

Index Terms

 

 

Barrtlett,

Briggs, Austin

Byron,

Chase, John

Editorial cartoons—Louisiana—New Orleans

Hitt, Homer

Pletcher, Eldon

University of New Orleans

Vinson, Ralph

WDSU (Television station : New Orleans, La.)