Life, 1908-05-07 · page 21 of 48
Life — May 7, 1908 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is satirical commentary on Anthony Comstock, the real historical figure famous for moral censorship and obscenity prosecutions. The "news" that he's been lost in the Arctic during an auto race is fictional framing for what is essentially his mock obituary. The satire works on multiple levels: **The Setup**: Comstock is portrayed as disappearing during "Life's" auto race to Paris, creating darkly comedic "what will America do without him?" speculation. **The Targets**: - Comstock's actual record: nearly 3,000 jailed, 90 tons of literature destroyed - His persecution of "innocent" people, especially women - His prudish censorship (bathing suits at Ocean Grove) - The irony that his crusades against vice actually drew *more* attention to it **The Joke**: Paris mourns potentially losing their "best" promoter of American art interest (through his attempts to suppress it). American institutions like the Metropolitan Museum would drape in mourning—sarcastically suggesting Comstock's absence would harm culture and morality. The overall message: good riddance to a puritanical censor whose destruction of literature and harassment caused more harm than good.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Comstock Not Heard From! Nation Fully Aroused to Consequences ! 'O NEWS has as yet been received from Lire’s auto, the Zip. The last dispatch, as reported in our last issue, was that Com- stock had been sent on ahead, and it now seems certain that he has been lost. News of the car itself is awaited with no special anxiety. Metcalfe and Taft are known to be safe. The latter has been seen on the horizon by watchers at Nome. What will be the effect of Anthony Com- stock's loss is not yet fully realized, but the nation is aroused. All have mingled feelings. The Great Relorrver—Obit. Anthony Comstock was born in New Canaan, Conn, in 1844, and after attending school in New Bi in, served in the War. He became later prominent in y, C.A circles, and after this preliminary work, sme Sec. and special agent for the Soc. of Rep. of Crime. He has brought nearly 3,000 people to jails (including women and children) and destroyed over 90 tons of literature. Recently started in Lire’s QUEEN OF THE MAY great Auto Race, with James S. Metcalfe and W. H. ‘Taft, famous Yale graduates and twin candidates for Presidency, in order to take part in certain fes- tivities to be held later at Maxim’s famous Paris res- taurant. Sent out ahead as scout near Nome, and at last reports has been lost in snow, Little hope of recovery. “What will be the effect of his loss on France and America ?” is the question now asked in every art center. Dr. Charles Parkhurst, when interviewed, had this to say: “As a reformer, Mr. Com- stock was ahead of his age. He has been ac- cused of persecuting innocent and defence- less women and children, and by his sense- less and asinine crusade against vice, to call more attention to it than if he had let the subject alone. But it is only necessary to show that for several years the bathing suits at Ocean Grove and Asbury Park have been steadily growing larger, in order to ap- preciate his steady effect on morals toss will be keenly felt.” Our Paris correspondent cables: ‘The news of Anthony Comstock’s loss has been received here with profound alarm, It is hoped, however, that the hitherto friendly relations between, this country and America will not become strained ‘The Bourse rules steady. Said a prominent Parisian art dealer: “We shall feel Comstock’s loss a great deal. Not so much harm will be done now, however, as if it had occurred ten years ago. “By calling attention to many of the best works of art, and arousing a real interest in matters of indecency, he was the most po- tent force that you have had. With truc pa- triotism and admirable restraint, he realized that the American people were deficient in certain instincts, and that the best way to arouse them was to make war against true art.” If no news is received by the end of this week, it is understood that the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Summit (N. J.) Library and the Hoffman House bar will be duly draped in mourning. In the meantime, we await dispatches from the Zip, now near Nome.