Life, 1888-10-04 · page 3 of 14
Life — October 4, 1888 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine, September (Page 185) This satirical illustration comments on the 1888 U.S. presidential election. The circular diagram labeled "SEPTEMBER" depicts political chaos—candidates, controversies over tariffs, and nomination disputes surrounding the major parties' candidates. The text critiques Benjamin Harrison's nomination, suggesting his lack of political clarity is problematic. It also mocks the re-nomination of James G. Blaine as unfortunate but acceptable given national stability. The sarcastic fish metaphor ("the fish we don't catch") suggests politicians make promises they won't keep. The elaborate border contains period satirical imagery—figures representing various political factions and concerns swirl around the central commentary. The cherubs firing cannons at top represent the contentious nature of campaign season.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SEPTEMBER. EPTEMBER has been a merry month for the politi- cians, what with two letters of accept- ance, from as many Presidential candidates, and the controversy over the fisheries, the nomi- nation of a couple of gubernational ‘candidates, and the starting up of the big political processions. * . . AN? it does not look particularly well in the eyes. Lov ous of the nation that Grandson Harrison should in FIR cowardly fashion hold back his pretty letter of accept- puLesies. ance until he should be able to get tone and direc- ee tion from Grover Cleveland's clear-cut and ous statement of principles. . . * . HE re-nomination of Hill is a misfortune; but after all the country is safe, even though England does imagine that our President would like to give Canada a thrashing about the fish we don't catch. comicbooks.com