Life, 1903-03-12 · page 9 of 26
Life — March 12, 1903 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a humorous serial cartoon about Irish taxation and wealth. The repeated sequence shows ten millionaires standing in a line; one removes his hat (presumably paying taxes), leaving nine. This pattern continues through multiple panels, with each successive scene showing fewer millionaires remaining. The satire targets Irish economic policy and tax burden—specifically, how taxation progressively reduces the wealthy population. The joke's dark humor suggests that taxing the rich so heavily drives them away or into poverty, eliminating the very class that generates wealth. The accompanying text discusses St. Patrick and Irish governance, establishing the cartoon as commentary on contemporary Irish economic challenges and government fiscal policy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
the scorn and merit the censure of pious presbyteries; an unpractical visionary, preach- ing faith, charity, peace and love, unac- ted with alcoholism or an elastic cur- cy or conscience. St. Patri of government, and laid dee future greatness of the race he was something of a prophet—that the Irish would ruleail the nations of theearth—except the Irish. ‘To punish their sins and thei ivity the Irish would be bossed by the Sassenach. This, said the wise nt, will prove the ‘ unfitness of the Sassenach for government, and temper the pride of the raling and unruly race. St. Brendan, the Navigator, was a favorite disciple of St. Pate he could ta d reef, and give Kipling points on weather and verse. He sailed for Spain and fetched up in New York, antedating the uta Maria and Mayflower, After charting attan he steered for Australia, and landed y and was welcomed home by St. Pat- ck. Suid ite to the Apostle, America is a great country and a fine climate. Ail it needs is a hard-working, thrifty population and a firm, paternal Irish government to make it the wonder of the world.” “Brendan,” Patrick softly, “what d'ye think I'm teaching t ples of government for? What's the sense of being a prophet ify squint ahead a trifle of fifteen hundred years? will fill up with all kinds of people from white men to Anglo-Saxons ; they'll be too busy to govern themselves, and In those days will be too good for the Irish—exeept the re- formers; and they'll be too good for everybody, and useful only to make people happy and contented k’s chosen people. It will be a great jand In good season St. Patrick died in the odor of y and the North of Ireland ; he went to glory, and heaven is his bed. It was O'Hara, the wise philosopher of Shanbally- macguthrie, who wrote “Blessed is the man who dies poor and single. He leaves no widow to scoff at his frailties with number two; no son to spatter his good name with red liquor ; no estate for a family to fight over, and cause graceless lawyers to mock his sanctity and impugn his sanity Patrick died celibate and celebrated, honored and dscieait he was the only man who ever conquered th conquerer loved and honored by the conquered—once a year. Perhaps in time the Irish will live up to him. Joseph Smith, Remembrance. LOVE mas witht me yester AM the world may marvel why 4 day— Joyful with great joy am I. In the dusk she crept away; Nonemay know whocannotsay, But Iam light-hearted yet, “Love was with me yesterday! Since I never can forget Charles Hanson Towne. (THERE are people who recite to you all the tragedies of the evening papers, and call it conversation. TEN LITTLE MILLIONAIRES STANDING IN A LINE; ONE SWORE 11S TAXES OFF, THEN THRKE WERE BUT NINE. LITTLE MILLIONAIRES BRWAILING ALL THEIR PATR; E SAID UR LIVED IN CAMDEN. THEN TUERE WERE BUT ElouT RIGHT LITTLE MILLIONAIRES RISKING CHANCE OP HEAVEN ; ONE WAD NO MEMORY, THEN THERE WERE BUT SEVEN. SEVEN LITTLE MILLIONAIRES IN A PRETTY PIX} GOLDBONDS VOWED IZ WAS IN DEST. THEN THERE WERE BCT SIX. comicbooks.com