Life, 1899-02-23 · page 7 of 20
Life — February 23, 1899 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "At Night School" Political Cartoon Analysis This cartoon satirizes a senator's claim that "if tee says that Linen speck of England is Ireland, ter a liar, and ter hell with geography!" The joke targets the senator's geographical ignorance—he apparently conflates Ireland and England, yet speaks with confident authority. The dialogue shows a working-class character (possibly an immigrant or laborer) congratulating the senator on his position, only to be rebuffed for lacking proper credentials. The satire mocks both the senator's blustering incompetence and his class pretension—he dismisses someone's genuine knowledge while being geographically illiterate himself. The "at night school" caption suggests the senator should return to basics education. This reflects Progressive Era criticism of political figures lacking substantive knowledge.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Two Views. FIRST POET: H, the haunt of the bird is the leafy wood, In a shade remote and free; He tunes his throat to a lover's note For his mate in the blossoming tree. cHORUS: Sing tweet! sing sweet! the bird in the treo, And tho bird with wings for tho sky; We listen long to his happy song As the hours go dancing by SECOND POFT: Ob, the haunt of the bird is the broad- brimmed hat, Where he perches with airy grace, With bis feathers dyed, and bis wings spread wide And flanked with ribbons and lace. conus: Sing height! sing ho! for the bird on the hat, AT NIGHT SCHOOL Yet I wonder, at times, upon it, “IP YEZ SAYS THAT LITTLE SPECK ALONGSIDE OF ENGLAND 18 IRELAND YER Why a sensitive maid is never afraid 4 LIAR, AND TER HELL Witm Grograruy !" Of the corpse on her Sunday bonnet ! a = Carol Schetky Turcey. “Not at all, I’m only glad you've = ly a LEAK found your proper place. Your stories V HERE would be the delight of a iy) se “NY, ~~ will lend dignity to the Congressional kiss if one did not know whom Record. Hello!” one was kissing? ‘What? Hello! This sorrow, oC A BR | YAH is tise” —_ ye wien | tol —_ “I sald Iwas glad you're a Senator. OVE, like parting, is such sweet \ you, Chauncey?” “Of course I know about it. Con- gratulations.” “Certainly, Just the place for you. “Hello! I say a man will be able to go to a dinner in New York with ive safety, now that you are a “What! I don’t like your speeches, Chauncey? Nonsense. Why, haven't I often supplied you with the very best parts of them? Tt isn’t that.” “Well, of course—you may be some- thing of a humbug, but—” “Tut! No one is listening over the wire but William K. and the Major, and they both know you.” — “ » * Es, p “Oh, yes you are. And the market ly * here is overstocked.” teas AdAM: SPARERIB AND APPLE SAUCE! DON'T YOU KNOW THAT 18 THR CATSE OP ALL MY TROUBLE? comicbooks.com