Life, 1905-08-24 · page 14 of 24
Life — August 24, 1905 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1902 *Life* magazine piece satirizes a exclusive dinner gathering of America's most wealthy and powerful industrialists and public figures. The cartoon depicts them debating who should preside, humorously presenting tensions among the elite. **Identifiable figures include:** Andrew Carnegie, Henry Rogers (Standard Oil), William Waldorf Astor, Chauncey Depew (railroad executive), Joe Choate (lawyer), and references to Tom Lawson, William McKinley, and others. The guest list also includes William Osler (physician), Henry James (writer), and J.P. Morgan. **The satire's point:** These titans of industry and finance—monopolists, railroad barons, and trust magnates—gather in an exclusive "Clover Club" setting where they control public discourse and policy, away from public scrutiny. The menu mockingly names dishes after controversial figures and industries (Osler Cocktails, Standard Oil dressing, Carnegie/Morgan certificates). The joke is that America's most powerful men operate within insulated circles, immune to ordinary rules and accountability.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The big dinner, Life’s Retreat for the Prominent. PPLICATIONS continue to pour in, list is now almost too 1 fort. There will be, however, d any one prominent enon ing list, can get in. “Tt was : Jaw Reid, * where the p ” said White- a thing like this, n't get at us, and we can say and do as we please and have everything our own These words were spoken just before the big dinner, which immediately fol- lowed the opening games. “It makes a deuced kind of a mixed affair, though,” said William Waldorf Astor. “I see that little runt, Andy is trying to run the whole get sat on all right,” said hwab. “I used to play that game, but there are too many guys around here who want to run th They can't all do it. Besides hasn't got a monopoly on gi away. I've done a few myself. By the way, who's going to preside At this moment Henry Rogers came up. “Depew wants to,” he can’t stand him. Poor Chaun always trying to butt in, Joe Choate ought to presic But he won't,” said Charlie Sehw: “He says he doesn’: like the crowd. His naturally sunny disposition can't stand it.” Henry James sauntered up. “What sort of an affair is this?” he asked, “We literary chaps, you know, seem to be ont of it.” “Nonsense !" broke in Rogers. ome of you fellows will be known when we chaps have all been forgotten. This is a kind of a Clover Club function, I be- lieve. We sit down to a dinner and say and do what we like.” At this moment dinner was an- and they all filed in. The g hall was decorated with flowers from the flower trust, sheafs of corn from the corn corner, and steel certificates loaned by Messrs. Carnegie and Morgan. “Who's going to preside?” was the universal question. Tom Lawson made f heard. “I ought to preside,” he exclaimed. “Betcher fiv said John Shouts of “Put him out!” were heard on all sides. After the noise had subsided Willie Fst got up in his auiet, modest way. Gentlemen,” he said, “ I nominate ks, He's harm- millions you won't!” cS. Vice-President: Fairba less and obscure “Good!” exclaimed everybody, and the choice was made unanimous. Following is the MENU: Osler Cocktails, Bob Fitzsimmons mussels, Bean Soup a la Lawson. Rockefeller Lamb with Depew Chest- nuts, Duck a la Grover. Standard ¢ Oil i Be Thistle S: Booker Washington Pie. Pittsburgh Stogies. The first toast of the evening was “Why I am an automobilist,” by Thomas. Who is he?” asked Joe Choate. “You know I've been away so lon; “Well,” replied Johnny Gates, “he's R comicbooks.com