Life, 1892-09-01 · page 12 of 16
Life — September 1, 1892 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Political Satire in Life Magazine This 1880s page satirizes the 1884 U.S. presidential election. Life's editors propose a mock ticket of **Ward McAllister** (a wealthy New York socialite) for president and **Albert E. Wettin** (apparently Prince Albert of Wales) for vice president—mocking the actual candidates through absurdity. The satire targets: - **Chinese labor disputes**: A fabricated scandal about the candidates' laundry, playing on anti-Chinese sentiment and labor tensions - **Political corruption**: The fictional voter letter mocks promises of patronage positions that never materialize - **Class pretension**: McAllister was famous for high-society snobbery; pairing him with royalty ridicules aristocratic posturing - **Historical ironies**: The "Anniversaries" section juxtaposes 1777, 31 B.C., and 1848—seemingly random dates that undercut the candidates' importance The humor relies on readers recognizing McAllister's real notoriety and understanding that electing European nobility would be absurd—a critique of wealthy elites disconnected from working Americans.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE’S TICKET. For PRESIDENT, For Vice-PRESIDENT, WARD MCALLISTER, ALBERT E. WETTIN, Of New York and Newport. Of Wales. THE reptile who thinks he edits the Arizona Kicker has revamped the old lie that our candidates have their washing done at home. This dastardly attempt to alienate the Chinese vote from our nominees we are able to meet with prompt denial and with the loathing such a vile slander deserves, On file in our office will be found several unpaid bills for laundry work and the affidavits of Chee Lung and Ah Sam that the work was done for the gentlemen in whose bebalf we solicit the suffrages of fifteen or twenty millions of freemen. HE, head of our ticket has written an eloquent letter to the Buffalo strikers, ending with the stirring quotation from * Marco Bozzaris" : “ Strike, brethren, strike with care. Strike not the train with the passenjare. Strike at a‘ scab wherever you dare— Beer and frankfurters free!" HERE is Victory in the Air! Defections from the old parties are increasing every day. Here is a sample letter. 536 Varick St., August 30. Dear Sir: have voted the Democratic and Republican tickets ever since 1842, but this year I vote for McAllister and Wettin. The old parties are rotten to the core. Although I have repeatedly been promised a position in the custom-house, neither party has ever given me one, and I am with you for McAllister and Victory 1” Yours truly, To the Editor of Lire, O'BRIEN FLAnerty. HEN our nominee for the Vice Presidency was a lad, his father pre- sented him with a bright new hatchet, Walking through the orchard a little later, Mr. Wettin, Sr., observed that someone had cut down his favorite cherry tree, Calling Albert to him, he said, ‘Albert, do you know who cut down the cherry tree?" Proudly and fearlessly the boy raised his head and replied, ‘* Father, I cannot tell a lie. I did it with my little hatchet. I needed some chips.” THE Eleventh Ward Daughters of Rebecca will give a clam chowder to-morrow evening in the parlors of the St. Nicodemus African M. E. Church, The proceeds will be used towards the purchase of uniforms for the Helmeted Sons of Ham, an organization which shows much enthusiasm for the ticket. ISS SUMMIT: Mr. Jagway, I don’t see how you have the effrontery to call on me. I saw you last night and you were in a disgraceful condition. JaGway: I saw you also, Miss Summit, and I noticed that your hat wasn’t on straight. SEPTEMBER 1, 1777. COMPLETION OF THE NEWEST OF THE FIFTH AVE, STAGES, SEPTEMBER 2, 31 B.C. MARC ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA DEFEATED BY OCTAVIUS CASAR AT THE BATTLE OF ACTIUM. SEPTEMBER 2ND, 1848. QUEEN VICTORIA VISITS THE DUKE OF ORLEANS. £€ 7 SHOULD bate to have a mother-in-law always around,” complained the youth, and then a gentle whisper fell upon his ear, * I'm an orphan.” comicbooks.com