Life, 1908-08-06 · page 40 of 54
Life — August 6, 1908 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the 1908 U.S. presidential election. The "Confidential Guide to the Parties" reviews political campaigns as if they were theatrical productions: **The Republican Party ("O.P.")** is portrayed as a successful, crowded show featuring Taft and Sherman as "two gladiators"—referencing the competition for the Republican nomination. **The Democratic Party ("Demos")** is mocked as a mediocre melodrama with William Jennings Bryan as the "leading lady," playing to sparse audiences in the West and South, suggesting the party's declining electoral fortunes after Bryan's previous losses. **Smaller parties** receive brief dismissals—Socialists as experimental/unrefined, Prohibitionists as entertaining but unpopular. The bottom sections contain unrelated jokes: one about Bryan's claim he'd serve only one presidential term (portrayed as a bluff), and another mocking a barber's haircut. The final illustration appears to be a separate social joke about wedding etiquette and Philadelphia hotels catering to Quakers. The satire reflects contemporary frustration with party politics and campaign theatricality.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Confidential Guide to the Parties O. P. Has already had long run. Taft and Sherman * as two gladiators. Stirring drama, with a complete set of villains and no hero. Running to crowded houses and most profitable stock company known. Trained ele- phant. No tickets sold except through speculators. Demos. Thrilling melodrama of Middle West. W. J. Bryan as leading lady. Mediocre show, but diverting in spots. Tin horn music. Scenic effects silver and green. Donkey as entre-act. Has been playing to one night stands through West and South for a long time with indifferent success. Illustrates period of decacence. Nevertheless, has sound principles at bottom, if cast could only be im- proved. Socialistic. A new style not yet fully recognized or ap- preciated, but rapidly coming to front; needs better mate- rial. Fuller notice later. Prohibition. Farce comedy. Extremely entertaining. Canteen curtain raiser. No problem and no moral, but well calculated to raise (and lower) the spirits. Has elements of unpopularity, however, in this country, which will prevent it from being highly successfcl Woman's. Amusing. Affords medium for excellent satirical hits. Highly emotional in spots. Would be greatly improved by introduction of suitable ballet. At present tco many old ladies on stage. quat’s an”? Coming. The real party. PAY YOUR FARE OR 1 or Laid on the Table M* BRYAN’S public dec- lai jon that one term in the White House is all that he will accept has been laid on the table until after November 3. Odds of cight, nine, and ten to one are offered that it will not need to be discussed. You certainly a hair cut. s Yes Hair in bad shape, eh? “Fierce. Must have been in country."” Yep.” Cut by a f. “ Where “You did before I went.” At the Wedding HO'S going to give the bride away? The newspapers. d “VELL, LeT’s Go"? 1 SEE DER PHILADELPHIA HOTELS OFFER REDOOCED RATES TO QVAKERS comicbooks.com