Life, 1883-07-05 · page 10 of 16
Life — July 5, 1883 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Ten Little Candidates" — Political Satire on the 1880s/1890s Presidential Race This page parodies the children's rhyme "Ten Little Indians," applying it to American political candidates eliminating each other from contention. Each verse humorously describes how a candidate drops out of the race through various scandals or mishaps: - **Private letters** and **tariff controversies** reference actual campaign vulnerabilities - **"Presidential levin" (lightning) struck one prematurely**—likely references a candidate's sudden, unexpected withdrawal or death - **War records looked up**—candidates faced scrutiny of military service - **Wheel-horse made a bolt**—a candidate's support collapsed - **Boom collapsed, submitted to interview, managers sold out**—typical political failures and betrayals The advertisement below for "a Respectable Party" with "Hot Water, Gas & Modern Conveniences" is an ironic jab at the political establishment itself—suggesting the political system is as artificial and constructed as party infrastructure. The cartoon mocks how candidates systematically self-destruct through their own missteps and compromises, leaving none viable by the end.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
TEN LITTLE CANDIDATES. IL | i ee! little candidates standing in a line; One wrote a private letter—then there were nine. Nine little candidates, each making up a slate; One spoke about the Tariff--then there were cight. —=— Il. Eight little candidates; the Presidential levin Struck one prematurely—then there were seven, Iv, \ Seven little candidates setting up the sticks: One pulled the wrong wire—then there were six. J sa Vv. Six little candidates, good men all and live; One's war record was looked up—then there were five. Vi. Five little candidates on a scrub-race tore; One's wheel-horsé made a bolt—then there were four. VIL. TOR RESPECTABLE Four little candidates, active as could be; PARTY. One's little boom collapsed—then there were three. OT WATER GAS Vu. | Three little candidates; to an interview - One of them submitted—then there were two. IX, Two little candidates made a red-hot 1un; One’s managers sold out—then there was one. xX. One little candidate standing all alone; A dark horse kicked him—then there was none.