Life — May 24, 1888 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "When Depew Is President" This satirical cartoon imagines a future presidency under Chauncey Depew (a prominent late-19th-century politician and railroad executive). The cartoon depicts well-dressed gentlemen in what appears to be an exclusive club or bar, toasting and celebrating, while through a window labeled "The President's Office" visible in the background, ordinary citizens conduct regular business outside. The satire suggests that a Depew presidency would primarily benefit wealthy elites and corporations—shown enjoying leisure and luxury indoors—while common people continue ordinary work outdoors. The subtitle "As He Can Do Best" implies Depew's perceived strengths lay in serving privileged interests rather than the general public, critiquing him as a tool of wealthy corporate interests rather than a people's president.