Life, 1908-12-03 · page 23 of 68
Life — December 3, 1908 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This piece mocks Charles Evans Hughes, the 1916 Republican presidential candidate, by imagining him as Santa Claus touring New York State. The satire targets Hughes's stern, humorless public image—emphasized by his famous whiskers and "celebrated will power." The joke: Hughes famously rejected race-track associations' offer of Arabian horses for his sleigh, declaring he'd use only "six cylinder reindeer" to avoid setting a "bad example." Instead of toys, "Santa Hughes" distributes religious tracts, and children see through the charade immediately ("You can't fool me," says an Albany boy). The satire suggests Hughes is self-righteously preachy rather than genuinely generous—he spreads moral instruction instead of joy. References to "Tammany Hall" (the Democratic political machine) and "Saratoga" suggest his tour deliberately avoided Democratic strongholds. The underlying political critique: Hughes is a sanctimonious, joyless figure unsuited to public affection, despite his reformist credentials.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Mr. Hughes Consents Will Act as Santa Claus. Children Wild With Delight THE news that Charles Hughes will act as Santa Claus is hailed with joy by every- He will start out on his tour h New York State at once. Mr. Hughes is eminently fitted for his task. His famous whiskers have recently been trimmed and celled, and he is ready for business When it was ascertained that Mr. Hughes had consented, the race track associations clubbed to- gether and offered to present him h six Arabian steeds to pull his mar- But Mr. Hughes, with his justly celebrated will power, scorned the offe Not as-long as my blood runs cold,"” he exclaimed, “ will I set a bad example to the people of this taie by using immoral horses. Nothing but six cylinder reindeer will do.” Mr. Hughes is not going to w for Christmas. Pack in hand even now he is on his way from house to house. (Loter) Sazta Claus Outdone CHARLES HUGHES PINISHES HIS CHRISTMAS TOUR EVANS The news that Mr. Hughes would play Santa Claus in New York Staie spread rapidly. Every night during the past week the children of every home burned with anxiety to have him visit them. “cre! IF DIS 1S A DREAM, 1 SLEEP FOREVER! ’? 000 6% 206 MOPE 1 “You can’t fool n id a little Al- bany boy, as he saw the retreating figure and looked at the bundle of tracts on the floor. Mr. Hughes distributed thousand packs of trac side of his picture was the legend : nearly fift On the out- following “There is a divinity ends. Rough Hughes th that shapes our as we will."? The only places he did not visit were Tammany Hall and Sar: ; When seen at his own hom The Cook; “ suure! THEY'RE GETTING THE WoRTH UV THAT MISTLETOE '” js own eyes. arly every one I saw n't like to try it so easy." Thoughtful # 5 ¢ 10 ockin: Sreura: What for? request of know they not fool hang up istmas. special papa and believe in ta Claus. WOMAN can soon convince a man that he isn't too old to learn. comicbooks.com