Judge, 1920-10-23 · page 9 of 32
Judge — October 23, 1920 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Vacant Chair" by Walt Mason This is a nostalgic political poem lamenting William Jennings Bryan's absence from the 1912 presidential race. The illustration shows a towering figure (likely representing Bryan's political absence or legacy) looming over smaller statesmen. The text expresses the author's long admiration for Bryan—a famous Ohio-born orator known for his passionate speeches and multiple presidential campaigns. The poem recalls Bryan's earlier vitality and "gift of tongues," contrasting it with his current non-candidacy. The satire criticizes the crowded 1912 field: Eugene Debs is running from prison, other candidates are scrambling for the presidency, yet Bryan—the once-dominant "uncrowned king"—is notably absent. The joke's punchline: Bryan's wisdom finally shows when he *declines* the Prohibition Party's invitation to run, having learned restraint at last. This reflects Bryan's genuine withdrawal from politics after three failed presidential bids (1896, 1900, 1908).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
TATESMEN The Vacant By Wa Ilustration b I sce them every place will make a noble race HE candidates are and some, I'll bet a penny. Ohio men are running for presidential next time you go gunning you'll bag one, if y v'Il find them in the thicket, you'll find them i the fen; they run on every ticket, these bold Ohio men. Now like a raging lion the candidate may roar; but where is Bill Bryan, who always ran before? My eyes are dim with gazing, and pains are in my neck, before the that Bill is not on deck. In vain is your camp: vain is all your fuss, when William isn’t raining many th yu try fact amazing of words on us. They say that Debs is running, though ina prison cell, which fact is rather stunning, when it is pondered well. If Eugene Debs can do it, though safely put away, why, then, you say. be shrew it, what hinders William J.? Most all the boys hoping to fill the White House chair, and candidates are grop ing, and pawing of the air; most all of them are trying to make the welkin ring; but where is William Brying, our great and uncrowned king? When I was young and hopeful I voted for Our Bill; his ora tory dopeful all through me sent a thrill. I used to hear him speaking in Lincoln, long ago; and all the boys went streaking to see the fits he'd throw. His pose was fine and stately, he Cha wr r Mason Raren Barton had the gift of d we admired him greatly, and banked upon his lungs In middle age I voted for William, just the same; still run ning. silver-throated, with presidential aim. He had acquiret the habit. he wore a sprinter’s shoes, and like a frightened rab tongues. 1 always lose. ing pleas bit he'd run int, he filled that graft with glee; among the statesmen present was alway's William B And when my years were verging upon the yellow leaf, he still was whooping, splurging, the people’s uncrowned chief The times and issues altered, and men grew old and died, and other statesmen faltered, and dodged, and stepped aside; and old-time platforms crumbled, and new ideas rose, and like a bee Bill bumbled, and teetered on his toes. Still evergreen and youthful bobbed up this buoyant scout although he lacked a toothful of hope of winning out And now I look around me, and fur is in the air, and dust and noise confound me, but William isn’t there. Oh, there are men from Dayton and Salt Lake City, too, all busily oratin’, but Bill is not in view. ‘Tis true the Prohib party invited him to run, and he replied. right hearty. hi couldn't see the fun, Which shows that he is gifted with wis. dom deep, you bet, and by that act he lifted his fame still higher yet! comicbooks.com