Life, 1902-12-11 · page 7 of 24
Life — December 11, 1902 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Dear People" — Political Satire on Campaign Politics This is a satirical theatrical piece mocking American electoral politics. The cartoon depicts a cynical Congressman character who openly admits his motivations: securing votes through pandering rather than principle. The satire targets **corrupt campaign practices**. The character brags about promising anything to constituents ("Just ask for anything you want, and it's as good as done"), understanding tariffs and currency only superficially, and playing poker with political power. His plea—"I hope you'll vote for me next Tuesday morning"—appears repeatedly, emphasizing hollow repetition over substance. Act II involves a Senator trying to manipulate legislation ("fake" platforms, bribing with "infant industries" protection), revealing backroom dealing behind democratic façade. The piece satirizes how politicians exploit public trust through empty promises and special-interest protection rather than honest governance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
x) en i fy RY | First Pedestrian; WELL, 1 AM APRAID THAT AUTOMOBILE 18 GONE FoR GOOD. Second Ped. : YE3, BUT 1 AM VERY MUCH AFRAID HE WILL STILL BE ABLE To USE ANOTHER. THE DEAR PEOPLE. Ruytusicat Comepy, 1x Two Acts. 2 — Party Heapquarters. Just Brrore Evection. Cuorvus or Evectors: W E are the people who want good laws ‘And sensible men to rule us ; We seldom get what we want, because It’s always easy to fool us, Candidates promise any old thing,— It's only the votes they're after ; When they're elected, they're sure to sing The same old song of the grafter. (Enter Candidate Shutteye. He removes his Aat, smiles and chuckles, shakes hands with alt present, clears his throat, and sings.) Soro: ‘I Want To Br a ConxoressMan.” I want to be a Congressman, and go to Washington ; I love the people dearly, and the lobbyist T'll shun; Just ask for anything you want, and it’s as good as done; So I hope you'll vote for me next Tuesday morning. I've a knack for legislation, and I wear the party brand ; The tariff and the currency I fully under- stand ; And when it comes to poker, I can play to beat the band ; So I hope you'll vote for me next Tuesday morning. (Enter four tough-looking citizens, wearing pink shirts and purple cracate. They are puffing dack cigars and need a share aplece.) Quartet: “We're Ovt ror te Sturr” (Mike, Joe, Pete and Bill). We're expert committeemen,— ‘What we want is money ! We are very witty men, For our “biz” is “funny.” We control the **heeler”” yote,— By the nose we lead it; And we often steal a vote When we think we need it, Don't give us a bluff! We're out for the stuff, So cough up enough, And we'll spend it, We don't like to beg, “ Hurrah for an Ronest election.” So open your keg And stretch out your leg— We'll extend it. (One seek elopses. In the street bands are Playing, red fire is burning, and yeile of triumph rend the air.) Cuonvs: Everropy. Hurrah for an honest election ! The people's defender has won. He'll give us sound money, protection, And everything under the sun. For tariff reform he will thunder ; The beef trust he'll fiercely razoo ; Monopoly ll have to go under, Such wonderful things he will do. (cuRTAIN.) Act II. Sci Wasnixctox, Timz— AFTER THE ASSEMBLING OF CoNGBESS, (Enter Congressman Shutteye, accompanied by Senator Easy Mark, who is trying to persuade Aim to “vote right.) Recttative: Suvt.: I tell you I have promised that I'L make An effort to secure wise legislation. Our platform said— Marx: ‘The platform was a fake! I see you need a little education. Soro: “Taxe Your Tir rnom Uxcum Manx” (Senator Easy Mark). When you're spouting on the stump, It is well enough to jump On the tariff and the trusts, for that’s ex- pected ; But when you're voting here, Your duty’s very clear To see our ‘‘ infant industries”’ protected. Don’t imagine that I run comicbooks.com