Life — October 20, 1904 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Satire from Life Magazine, October 20, 1904 This page critiques the 1904 presidential campaign, particularly Theodore Roosevelt's relationship with corporate interests. The central cartoon shows a large bear (representing trusts/monopolies) being controlled by a small figure, satirizing Roosevelt's claims to regulate big business while allegedly accepting campaign contributions from railroad and trust executives. The text discusses accusations that Roosevelt's administration made deals with Wall Street interests despite anti-trust rhetoric. A section on "Laws of the State" (shown with illustration) mocks the contradiction between Roosevelt's public stance against trusts and his actual political arrangements with them. The page also includes commentary on Senator Hoar's death and Democratic candidate judge Parker, suggesting broader debates about corporate influence in American politics during this election cycle.