Life — November 30, 1905 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts a classical Greek or Roman temple—representing the institutions of Wall Street and finance—now haunted by ghostly figures. The ghosts appear to be climbing on the building's structure and roofline, suggesting spectral presences inhabiting what should be solid, trustworthy institutions. The title "Wall Street Ghosts" implies that the financial district is now populated by insubstantial or illusory forces—likely referencing financial collapse, fraud, or the disappearance of promised wealth. The classical architecture contrasts sharply with the ghostly chaos, suggesting a once-grand system now corrupted or failing. Without a visible date, the exact historical crisis referenced remains unclear, though the imagery suggests post-1929 stock market crash commentary or similar financial scandal satire.