Life, 1899-01-26 · page 15 of 20
Life — January 26, 1899 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct satirical pieces: **"A Poser for Mrs. Poteat"** mocks reformers advocating for pure milk in New Haven (near Yale). The satire is that wealthy Yale students, surrounded by saloons, wouldn't care about milk purity—implying moral corruption from alcohol is the real problem being ignored. **The Kipling notice** praises British author Rudyard Kipling's American writing over his English work, suggesting he should stay longer in the U.S. **"An Unbalanced Account"** is a ledger attacking Secretary of War Alger, listing debits (military failures, soldier suffering, incompetence during the Algerism period—likely the Spanish-American War) against minimal credits. This direct political attack suggests Alger's tenure caused widespread damage. **"A Chilly Night in Coontown"** uses racist dialect humor typical of the era, showing a Black woman refusing entry to a visitor. The page reflects turn-of-century American satirical journalism targeting political figures and social reform hypocrisy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
75 A Poser for Mrs. Poteat. HE newspapers report that half a million dollars has been raised to capitalize a company which shall supply milk of scientific purity to tbe city of New Haven, The information is added that much of this capital bas been fur- nished by New York men who have sons at Yale, What will Mrs. Poteat, the reformer renowned in rebuke, say to this pretense that it is of the slightest importance to Yale students whether New Haven’s milk is pure or not? Who will persuade her that the students of a college envi- roned by saloons know anything about milk except by bearsay, or that it makes any difference to them whether New Haven’s milk is pure or not? I" is announced tbat Rudyard Kipling is about to take sbip for the States with bis family, to spend two months in Washington. Would that he might dwell among us longer. He writes better tales bere than he does in England. His American boy story, for example, beats his English boy stories hollow. IRST PLUTOCRAT: It seems the people want to elect United States Senators. SEconp Piotocrat: Well, I declare! They'll be wanting to elect the President A CHILLY NIGHT IN COONTOWN. Miss Didimus : DE FRSTIVITIES WAS LAS) EB! ‘STEAD OB DIS EBENIN’, MISTAH JASPER, POWPUL SORRY DAT I CYARNT 'VITE YER INSIDE, BUT WE IS JUST ABOUT TO RETIAH, An Unbalanced Account. Mr, Secretary ALoER in account with Tue Prope or THE UNITED STATES. Cr. Diseredit brought on American army by || By 1 Corbin, 00 petty intrigues in War Department. \| “ 1 Shafter. 00 Injustice to deserving officers by political “1 Eagan, 00 and personal favoritism. (On hand.) Needless suffering of American soldiers, | due to incompetency of Seeretary of War. 3,000 soldiers, victims of Algerism, Future demoralization of American army, = INVENTION BY WITCH YOU MAY LEAVE YOUR PETS IN COMPORT DURING YOUR ABSENCE FROM HOME, duo to present Secretary's retention in a eae = comicbooks.co