Judge, 1919-09-13 · page 9 of 36
Judge — September 13, 1919 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Anti-Living Law" - Judge Magazine Satire This is a satirical attack on *excessive moral legislation* and "reform" movements of the early 20th century. The story proposes an absurd "Anti-Living Law" that would execute anyone who enjoys life's pleasures—a hyperbolic critique of real anti-vice laws (Anti-Tobacco, Anti-Laughter acts mentioned) that the author views as joyless overreach. The satire's point: reformers who obsessively regulate others' behavior are themselves guilty of deriving pleasure from control, making them hypocrites deserving punishment under their own logic. When the law is applied impartially, the reformers are executed instead, and "long-suffering people" finally find peace. The cartoon shows an airplane dropping a wine cellar ("Tapleigh's") with the joke that it's anchored offshore to escape the law's jurisdiction—illustrating how absurd prohibition becomes when people find workarounds. The page mocks puritanical social engineering as tyrannical, defending ordinary pleasures (drinking, kissing, eating, laughter) against intrusive legislation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Anti-Living Law By Fraxx H. Witutass HE Anti-Living Law was introduced into Congress by one of the original sponsors of the Anti-Tobacco and Anti- Laughter acts. He e plained, in presenting the bill, that human nature be- ing human nature, it seemed impossbile to reform every- one by mere legislation and that it was evident sterner measures were necessary. “The mere passage and enforcement of uplift laws,” said the author of the bill, “has not proved sufficient. The sound of laughter still occasionally offends the ears of many people who are sick of living. It is a notorious fact that kissingis still going on, in greatly reduced mea- sure, to be sure, but it is still being indulged in despite the severe penalties attach- ing to its discovery. Just the other day a man in Maine was found to be suf- fering from stomach trouble in spite of the passage and enforcement of our Anti- Over - Indulgence - in- Food Act. Too many people still find life worth living; too many people find a pleasure in life and are, therefore, sinful. Consequently we are introducing this act to en- able us to kill all persons who get any pleasure out of life. All persons thought to be guilty of enjoying life will be tried and, if found guilty, Drawn by Jaues W, Wittiawsox What's the idea of the captive balloon?” “That's Tapleigh’s wine cellar. He says the law can’t touch him because it is outside the thrs mile limit.” will be shot at once. This will inevitably better the race and clim- inate forever from the face of the earth all further thoughts of plea- sure, joy and happiness.” The bill was passed unanimously and put into effect at once. The general public, down-trodden and miserable through years of petty tyranny by reformers, suddenly resumed its normal functioning in a surprising manner. Acting under the new law the arrest was made of the author of the Anti-Living Law and of all others responsible for bills designed to regulate the lives, speech, habits and thoughts of people generally. They were tried under this law and, upon being found guilty of getting a great amount of left-handed pleasure out of regulating other people, they were shot at once. And the long- suffering people breathed happily ever after. = Making it Unanimous Drawn by A. Macnevemr “Alas, Mr. Gloom, my husband does not understand me, and——" Conducting a Busines« on Sound Principles either do I, Madam!” sternly interrupted J. Fuller Gloom. comichooks.