Life, 1891-04-02 · page 5 of 14
Life — April 2, 1891 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 207 This page satirizes early-1900s political and diplomatic events through interconnected cartoons: **"Indictment of the Billion Congress"** mocks wasteful spending by Congress members depicted as devils/demons. **Civil Service Law critique**: The text references President Harrison's interpretation of civil service reforms, comparing it to "giving the Devil a reading desk"—suggesting the law's implementation was ineffective or hypocritical. **Regional commentary**: Separate vignettes mock various American locations (Boston Post Office, New Orleans, Irish situations) for political corruption or mismanagement. **International references**: France, Germany, and Britain appear as characters, likely commenting on diplomatic tensions. The overarching theme criticizes government inefficiency, corruption, and failed reforms across multiple levels—Congress, civil service, and regional administrations—through satirical caricature and dark humor typical of Gilded Age political cartooning.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
< “Poor ‘Biooy DRAWS THE INE AT LAST. MP cohRESIDENT | HARRI- SON'S interpretation of the Civil Service Law is very like the reading the Devil might be expected to give to the ‘Scriptures. ‘The removal of Boston's postmaster is a case in point. [7°S very Mattering to Jonathan that the little girl across the border is so anxious to come to his arms, but Brittania is a watchful chaper- one, and the little girl must be discreet. [NASMUCH as the Republicans could not pass the Force Bill, which would have kept them perpetually in power, it was only natural thaps that they should loot the treasure box Petore they abandoned the citadel. EVERYONE knows that theoretically the lynching of the Italians at New Orleans was wrong. Everyone feels that practically it was about the only resort left to the people of that city. Only those who cannot feel her situation should cast the stone of disapproval. QUE 0! friend, the piratical publisher, will have to climb up to his niche in history. Come the first of July he will proceed to walk his own plank. FRENCH chivalry seems to be like French glory—a thing of the past. Picture the Chevalier Bayard refusing a woman safe- ¥ conavet in France! f / §T,,PATRICK'S day Dy) has come and gone, y but, alas, its effects were not fatal. comicbooks.com