Life — October 5, 1893 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "September" - Two of a Kind This September page satirizes political figures through four vignettes. The main cartoon depicts what appears to be royalty or dignitaries meeting common criminals or con artists, with labels including "Silver Baron" and "Secretary-[Treasurer]"—suggesting corrupt wealthy elites are morally equivalent to criminals. Below, four smaller scenes mock different "types": "Brazilian Normal" (a man's head exploding), "Playing Soldiers" (two figures with weapons), and "Ascendency of the Train Robber" (a figure with a gun). The overall message—"Two of a Kind"—implies the page is drawing parallels between legitimate power holders and actual criminals, suggesting their behavior and morality are indistinguishable. The satire critiques corruption among the wealthy and politically connected.