Life, 1888-12-27 · page 5 of 43
Life — December 27, 1888 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# December Political Satire (Life Magazine, Page 359) This December issue combines holiday themes with political commentary. The top banner shows children caroling beneath a benevolent sun—traditional Christmas cheer. The four circular vignettes below reference specific 1880s-90s political figures and events: - **"Last Throw"** (upper left): Appears to show a political figure in a precarious position - **President Cleveland reference**: The text explicitly mentions President Cleveland and his foreign policy regarding Haiti and Samoa - The other circles contain satirical scenes, likely depicting political figures or recent scandals The central text discusses Secretary Harrison and "Santa Claus"—likely a pun on Harrison's role in Christmas politics or gift-giving patronage. The bottom panel shows two figures at a table labeled "Christmas Stockings," probably mocking political corruption or backroom deals dressed up as holiday goodwill. Without clearer figure identification, the specific satirical targets remain partially obscure to modern readers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
DECEMBER may be counted upoa for a merry moath, ia spite of even as miserable weather as we have undergone for the last few weeks, by reason of the | Christmas festivities. There has been no lack of charity and good cheer on the present anniversary, and, as the children are happy, the growa folks are also, 7 PRESIDENT CLEVELAND. stood true to his colors, and his final thrust at the war tariff will not be the last it will receive, The month is eventful in this respect, too, that mob-law has received a checkia Alabama. Likewise, December is remarkable in that the United States has asserted her rights in Hayti and Samoa. AND which stocking did Santa Claus Harrison pat the Secretarysbip of State into? Was it little Jobany Sher- man’s or little Jimmy Rlaine'’s? Well, we shall see what we shall see! comicbooks.com