Life, 1905-08-24 · page 15 of 24
Life — August 24, 1905 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes wealthy industrialists and public figures of the Gilded Age through a mock dinner where prominent men defend themselves against criticism. **The Main Cartoon:** Shows two men in formal dress, likely representing wealthy businessmen being mocked at a private gathering. **The Context:** The text describes a dinner where figures like Joe Choate, Charlie Schwab, and John Peter Haines (head of the S.P.C.A.) attempt to justify their controversial behavior to an audience that constantly heckles them. A man who "ought to be in jail" speaks about speeding through New York streets with "perfect impunity"—mocking wealthy elites' ability to evade consequences ordinary citizens faced. **The Satire's Point:** Life ridiculed how rich industrialists (Rockefeller, Carnegie, Depew) and society figures operated above the law and public scrutiny. The "toasts" listing their hypocrisies—"A Director in Cash Only," "The Oily Life"—mock their dubious wealth sources and moral compromises. Whitelaw Reid's closing quip, "where the public can't get at us," crystallizes the joke: the wealthy operating in secret, beyond public accountability.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
made himself more or less prominent of late by getting fined for speeding.” homas arose. ntlemen,” he said, “I am here—” shouted Tom are here,’ son, “when you ought to be in jail.” “That's right,” was heard on every “I've been up be And off,” cried Charlie hurst “That the reason why you are an au- ret tomobilist 7 hon That's the reason. rinned. ras. Having to IT can snap my at public opinion, and I propose to run my machine ny rate of speed through the streets of New York or anywhere else with perfect impunity And Turn off y rest!" "You are beyond the speed limit now,” were heard on all sides.; ur power!” “Give us a “Ut makes a deuced kind of a mixed affair, though," said William Waldorf Astor. -D TRE Joe Choate turned to Charlie Schwab. “A fellow like that ought to be put into jail and kept there for the rest of his natural life,” he whispered. ‘Thomas sat down amid groans and hisses Presiding “Officer Fairbanks rapped arply with his gavel entlemen, said, ne next ly. Here speaker will interest you grea is the toast” Why I remain at the head of the S. PC. A," by Jolm P “What's the answer?” Haines. outed Henry Roge “Nobody knows,” Cleveland Calls of “Haines, Haines! Why he e “Let him explain,” replicd Grover sides \ portly individual arose. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I'm glad to be where it is comparatively quiet I can't pick up a paper at home without secing unkind, unjust reference to myself—except, of course, in the or Now, I—" “Cut it short. Tell us something we don’t know. Why don’t you resign?” were heard on all sides. Mr. Haines at last continued. “I don’t resign because 1 don’t want to. Besides, I believe in myself, if no one else does. I—” He was not allowed to go on They dragged him down, while Henry James, followed closely by Gertrude Atherton, Ida Tarbell and W. D. How- ells, approached the chair, “I have a suggestion to mak “Certainly, Mr. Ja Tell us.” “I would suggest id Henry James, “instead of our making speeches, or trying to, that the toasts be read off and the dinner be adjourned “Good for you!” “Great bo: py thought!” came from all sides. The Chairman then read the follow- ing toasts: “Leading the Equitable Life,” by Thom- as Ryan. “A Director in Cash Only,” by Chaun- cey M. Depew. “The Oily Life,” by John D. Rocke- feller, “Honi soit qui mal y pense,” by An- thony Comstock. me: “ It was a grand thought," said White- law Reid, "to get up a thing like ths, where the public can't get at us.” “Bears That Have Met Me,” by Theo- dore Roosevelt “Why I Take Interest,” by Russell Sage. “The Union of Church and Saloon.” by H. C. Potter. “Conscience Makes Philanthropists of Us All,” by Andy Carnegie. “Why I Was Given a Job,” by White- law Reid. “A Ball Too Much,” by J, H. Hyde. On an Ocean Steamer. HE WIFE: Shall I have your dinner brought tothe room, dear ? Huspanp (fecdly): No. Just order it thrown overboard. His Early Training. a HERE in the world did that parrot learn to swear so?" “T brought bim up on a golf links, ma’am,"" comicbooks.com