Judge, 1912-08-17 · page 18 of 24
Judge — August 17, 1912 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story mocks early 20th-century gender-equality debates. A mass meeting attempts to negotiate between men and women over rights and privileges. The humor lies in exposing contradictions: women demand "equality" while simultaneously insisting men grant them special treatment (alimony, baby-buggy pushing, right-of-way). When a man logically points out these aren't equal terms, women refuse compromise—they want men's rights *plus* their existing privileges. The satire's punchline: women threaten physical force (hatpins were real weapons) if denied, then a three-hundred-pound woman intimidates a man who boasted of male strength. Judge magazine used this to mock both suffragists (portrayed as hypocritical) and anti-suffragists (shown as logically outmaneuvered). The "Magna Charta" reference—evoking historical rights documents—undercuts the women's demands as absurdly self-serving rather than principled equality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Budweiser Ihe only Bottled Beer in constant demand on Land and Sea, on all Buffet and Dining Cars, at Hotels, Clubs, Cafes and Homes. Bottled only at the Home Plant in St. Louis Anheuser-Busch Brewery St. Louis, Mo. 2 . Sea Gate The Whittier Inn new Your Harbor An Ideal Hotel Home for Summer—Open from May to November ‘The Inn is situated in a private park maintained by the local cottage community. Rooms with private bath and porch. Rooms are available in nearby cottages to those who prefer them, service and privileges of the Inn being the same. A clean broad beach with ample bathing facilities. Tennis, baseball, rowing and sailing. Private boat service to and from New York City. Also frequent train service to Brooklyn. Telephone Garage A Delightful Place—Just 45 Minutes by Private Boat from New York Rates and Booklet Upon Application The Magna Charta Convention By TERRELL LOVE HOLLIDAY. A MASS meeting of the sexes had been called to adjust the differ. ences between them. “We are tired of living on a lower plane,”’ said the women; “tired of promises, evasion and delay. We de mand to be lifted at once to your level,” “‘Why don’t you climb, as we did?” shouted a man. ‘‘Climbing is easier now than it ever was."’ A storm of hisses greeted this. “We demand that you share with us all your privileges.’”” “Will you pay us alimony, wheel the baby buggy when we go out together, give us the right of way when we meet on a muddy crossing, and let us have the last word half of the time, if we grant you the ballot and our standard of morals?"’ asked a coarse old fellow. “You insulting thing!'’ cried a col- lege woman, ‘We don’t want your standard. Equality in that must be at- tained by you giving up your code and accepting ours.’” At this preposterous suggestion there was angry muttering among the men, Many, believing there was no hope of agreement, were rising to leave, when _& Machiavelli made himself heard, ‘We will agree to that,’’ he said suavely, ‘‘provided you will promise to wear plain hats like ours and remove them the instant you enter house, church or theater."" “Never!"’ wailed the women. ‘We'll die first !"’ “We intend to keep all the rights we now have,”’ said a square-faced beldame in tweeds, ‘‘and to get all that you have, besides.’” A premonitory chill ran down each masculine spine. Her cold, calm voice carried conviction. “Then you refuse to arbitrate a machinist, fumbling his gr “It’s all take and no give?”’ “Exactly !’’ answe a pert little stenographer. ‘‘We been giving everything and getting nothing for so long that, now w got you under our thumbs, we're going to make you wrig- gle. “Suppose we stand pat and refuse to grant you anything?’’ queried a pugna cious youth. ‘What can you do?” “We'll take by force,’’ was the threatening answer, amid a general fin- gering of hatpins. “But we are the stronger,”’ taunted the youth. ‘‘I mean most of us are,” he added hastily, as a six-foot, three- hundred-pound Amazon started toward him. In answering advertisements please mention JUDGE. It will be appreciated. comicbooks.com