Life, 1908-09-03 · page 33 of 36
Life — September 3, 1908 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily advertisements with one substantial satirical poem about President William Howard Taft (who succeeded Theodore Roosevelt). **The Satire:** The poem mocks Taft as merely imitating Roosevelt's aggressive "Big Stick" presidency without Roosevelt's genuine conviction. It catalogs Taft's expected actions—prosecuting trusts, pursuing bears, suppressing corruption—but frames them as theatrical performance ("the manager, the cast, / The orchestra, the ballet, and the chorus"). **The Point:** The satire suggests Taft is playing a role, following Roosevelt's script rather than leading authentically. The closing joke—comparing his presidency to "another reign of Teddy"—underscores that Americans fear they're getting Roosevelt's shadow, not Taft's own leadership. **Context:** This reflects early-1900s frustration with Taft's perceived weakness compared to his popular predecessor, a tension that would culminate in Roosevelt's 1912 split with Taft.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sou _EXTRA DRY ? Champagne to receive a gold medal at Paris Exposition. It was acknowledged by Parisians to ual to the best French wines. The absence of duty reduces the cost 50 per cent. PLEASANT VALLEY WINE CO. Sole Makers RHEIMS, N.Y. (AWAY - FROM -THE-USUAL ) Japan Trans-Siberia and ROUND THE WORLD EUROPE BY MOTOR CAR and TRAIN DE LUXE ———— Berkeley Bu ing, Boston SurBRua's ARCADIA MIXTURE could ever attempt to describe its delights.” The Tobaccosare all aged, Axe improves prevents biting. vent countries, from called’ upon, class by itself so exhilarating it, THE SURBRUG COMPANY 132 Reade Street New York. LIFE TAFT You've got the girth, handshake, smile, ¢ bluff; Old Dr. Mryan's sure enough to find hot stuff.” To work You are The morning sun sheds his first ray, Bill Taft, on you; Just ere he sinks to you he chucks a kiss In fond adieu the big stick ” swings, you lead the band; that you will have to tote— . how you'll sweat! Boom the big family, smash the spelling book, And to his lair, Deep in his mountain fastnesses and wilds, Pursue the bear; With righteous wrath sweep down, annibilate The men of stealth, Those crafty rascals, * Great wealth.” malefactors of Fine all “the predatory trusts They're off the map; If there's a “scrap” Into that “ scrap.” until in progress straightway get Is “something doi nywhere between Tacoma and Cos Col Get there with both feet in a jiffy and You boss the job. That is, you know, what Theodore would do, With purpose grim, And you, the heir of all his works and ways, Must act like him. Should any dare to contradict you, then, With wrath, surprise, Roar him down and tell He lies! he lies! the caitifl base, Be photographed on slightest provocation And keep before uss The fact that you're the manager, the cast, ‘The orchestra, the ballet, and the chorus. For little things like pestilence and war And monetary panics we are ready: But Heaven help us if we're not to get Through William Taft another reign of Teddy? Ti HIS EPITAPH cretary Cortelyou was elaborating his recent epi- * With a smile he said s spoil hunting and office honorable word. It Jegraded ight place is a shame to have We should try to uplift it again t want the word ‘politics’ to evoke the picture of such a man as Hilary Harkness “Tilary Harkness was a politician of the lowest type, and unsuccessful at that. His whole life was © spent thirty-seven years rs ro till Wis wife and. deughice supported Mia by ‘Keching 4 candy shop. “Well, Hilary died at last put above his remains, and the executor asked the editor to suggest an epitaph to go upon the shaft “The editor thought a moment. Then he smiled, and slipping a sheet of paper in his typewriter, he clicked off: A modest shaft was Here Lies Hitary Harkness in the only place for which he never applied. —Washington Star. Self-Loading Repeating Rifles These rifles are made in .32, +35 and .351 High Power cali- bers. They can be loaded and fired with great rapidity and are strong and handy from butt to muzzle. A point in their favor isthe economyand compactness of the modern cartridges they handle. Like all Winchesters, they are absolutely reliable. Full itustratet desertption of these wonderful rifles sent free upon request. ee & WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. POSITION UNRIVALLED IN LONDON, ENGLAND. THE LANGHAM HOTEL, Portland Place and Regent St., London, W. FAMILY HOTEL OF THE HIGHEST ORDER In Fashionable and Healthy Locality. comicbooks.com