Life, 1895-03-28 · page 9 of 18
Life — March 28, 1895 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine features satirical portraits of **Thomas Brackett Reed** (left caricature, labeled "takes when acting as agent for a country circus") and **The Hon. Tom Reed** (right photograph, labeled "disguised as a statesman from the state of Maine"). The satire contrasts Reed's actual appearance with an exaggerated caricature, mocking him as someone who performs circus-like theatrics rather than serious statesmanship. The text describes Reed as a distinguished Republican who served as Speaker of the House, but attacks his character—claiming he wears an "eighteen collar" and that his worst accusation is wearing a hat after Republican victories. The brief dialogue joke ("A Slight Difference") plays on marital misunderstanding. Overall, this is partisan political ridicule of a prominent Republican figure.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
*>LIFE-: THOMAS BRACKETT REE TAKEN WHEN ACTING AS AGENT FOR A COUNTRY CIRCUS. THE GROWTH OF GREATNESS. VIII. Tiomas Brackett ReeD, M. C. WE Present to our readers this week portraits of a distinguished fellow-citizen, in the curves of whose face and figure—for he has no angles—will be found written everywhere the noble sentiment, * Lam a Republican.” In fact it is stated on good authority that nothing bet the entreaties of the Apollo Belvidere Reed Republican Club, of Port Ad, Maine, kept Mr. Reed from having this statement indelibly tattooed all over his body in long-primer type. So far, even the breath of suspicion has failed to connect Mr. Reed with any of the peculations usual with professional politicians. Thisis due not only to his honesty, but toa certain shy gentleness of nature and an indecision of purpose which has caused his political associates to dub him affectionately “Czar” Reed. The worst accusation brought against Mr, Reed so far is that he wears an eighteen collar, but this is a fabrication of his enemies based upon the fact that after every Republican victory he wears a hat of that size. Mr. Reed has at various times presided as Speaker of the House of Representatives, in which position he has merited the criticism visited upon him by Republicans that he invariably ruled in favor of the Democratic Party. He is spoken of in connection with the next Republican nomination for the Presidency, but two facts militate 201 against him. One is that he comes from a safe Republican State, and the other that his associates fear he might give all the offices to the Democrats. A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE. Meee: And Mr. Meanitall really said that I was better looking than ever ? MARIE (wickedly) : looking better. HE WIFE: One-half the world doesn’t know how the other half lives. THE HUSBAND: Well, it isn't the fault of your sewing society anyway. No, dear. He simply said you were THE Hon. ToM REED. DISGUISED AS A STATESMAN FROM THE STATE OF MAINE,