Life — October 22, 1896 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Rival Ferrymen: Uncle Samuel for a Prosperous Voyage" This political cartoon depicts two ferrymen at a riverbank. The figure on the left, labeled "RIFF" and "TRUSTS," represents monopolistic business interests or corporate trusts. The figure on the right, labeled "Uncle Samuel" (personifying the U.S. government), stands ready to depart on a boat. The satire suggests that Uncle Samuel is choosing to rely on or partner with the corrupt ferrymen (trusts/monopolies) for passage—likely criticizing government complicity with big business. The "prosperous voyage" reference suggests ironic skepticism about whether such an alliance would actually benefit the nation, playing on Progressive-era anxieties about trusts controlling American commerce and politics.