Life, 1892-04-28 · page 5 of 14
Life — April 28, 1892 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 265 This satirical page comments on the 1884 U.S. presidential election aftermath, likely November 1884. The central caricatured figure appears to be James G. Blaine (based on the distinctive mustache and "If Chance will have me King" quote), the defeated Republican candidate. The scattered vignettes mock various Republican figures weeping over their electoral loss. References include "Silver Bill" (likely Congressman William Allison), President Eliot (Harvard's Charles Eliot), and "John Chinaman" (a derogatory reference to Chinese exclusion politics). The barrel labeled "Slush Fund" references campaign corruption allegations against Blaine. The overall satire celebrates the Republicans' defeat by Democrat Grover Cleveland, depicting the opposition party in comic distress over lost power and patronage opportunities.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HE month of smiles and tears has been impartial in the distnbution of its favors. Among the weepers, for instance, are the silver men and David Hill. But their grief is more than offset by the joy which reigns in the camp of the honest money men and on the countenance of Grover, PRESIDENT ELIOT can hardly be reckoned among the rejoicers. He is more likely to be found mingling his tears with those of that parrot who, through his experience with the bull-dog, discovered he had been too loquacious. AS Dr. Parkhurst's conscience acquits him, he is probably to be considered a rejoicer. OHN Chinaman won't know whether to laugh or cry until Mr. Geary gets through with him. But John’s feelings, he having no vote, are not worth considering any way. TIP CHANCE WH HAVE mE KING, WHY, CHANCE MA Y CROWN ME BPA winvouy My snip’, ocala SSL Ue comicbooks.com