Life, 1898-12-22 · page 3 of 22
Life — December 22, 1898 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 523 This page contains two satirical pieces. The upper section, "Sanctum Talks," depicts a dialogue between a Governor and someone named "Teddy" (likely Theodore Roosevelt), shown as a rotund figure. The conversation concerns political corruption and methods of prosecution, with Teddy suggesting he'll help "make you President" while the Governor expresses reservations about Teddy's theatrical approach to fighting corruption. The lower section, "The Proper Defense," features a military officer's war record being scrutinized. The satire suggests the officer deflects criticism by citing his record and courage rather than substantively addressing accusations about his conduct in battle—a rhetorical dodge the text explicitly mocks as evasive. Both pieces critique political and military figures' tactics for avoiding accountability through bluster and misdirection.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sanctum Talks. ta OWDY, Lirr?” “* How are you, Colonel?” “T came in to—” “Yes. I know you are in trouble. of your election.” “Well, aren’t you glad of it?” “Reasonably so, Governor, been a little more theatrical than I could wish—” “But—” “Yes, I know you've had some bad examples.” ‘But don’t you think a man has a right to resort to almost anything to get elected 2” “Certainly, certainly; of course; un- qui nably.”” «Even if—” “To be sure. From the outside it’s politics, from the inside it’s patriotism. No man is a politician in his‘own party.” “ And what shall I do with Platt?” “That isn’t the question, Teddy.” “ What is, then?” “ What’s Platt going to do with you?” “Do you knqw?” “Yes, If you have sand enough to turn him down—and the others, too, Teddy, he’s—” “What?” “Going to help make you President.” “But that—” ‘LIFE: I've heard Your methods have “Yes, I know. It does take a certain amount of corrup- tion to be Presi- “Well?” “Furnish it yourself, Teddy. Now run along and be a good boy.” ‘*Thanks, Lire.” “Not at all, Governor.” The Proper Defense. N officer whose war record was somewhat shady, largely owing to bis excellent Judgment in selecting trees that were Im- penetrable, was fally 2X goaded to the point of trying to make a defense. Collect- ing all the newspaper articles that reflected on his courage, and securing coples of the state- ments furnished to the investigating committeo appointed to deal with Just such cases as his, he took them to a prominent lawyer and asked to have proceedings instituted to prosecute his de- tractors for Ibel and slander. The lawyer took over the papera, and, promising to examine them, told his prospective cent to call again in a couple of days, When the officer called, the law- yer banded him back his papers, with the remark: “Thave examined this matter carefully, and I don’t think anything would be gained by begin- ning u series of Ibel suits, The charges made against you regarding your conduct In that battle fare so circumstantial and backed by so many amMdavits that I can't see what you could do to disprove them.” “Then you don’t intend to help me puntsh the men who have vilified me,” sald the oMcer, hotly. “can't. As far as that battle Is concerned you have no ground for a libel sult; but,"” and he «mitled a smile that had nothing of hero worship init, “you have a splendid chance to prove an alibi.” comicbooks.com