Life, 1909-06-17 · page 20 of 32
Life — June 17, 1909 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This poem-cartoon satirizes a politician (referred to as "the Noble One" and "the Hero") confronted by hostile hecklers at a public event. The satire depicts three increasingly absurd questions designed to expose the politician's evasiveness: 1. **First heckler**: Demands to know why the politician hasn't jailed criminals 2. **Second heckler**: Asks why he won't address corruption, then pivots to a nonsensical question about car engines (4 vs. 6 cylinders) 3. **Third heckler**: Criticizes campaign funding and fraternizing with criminals The joke: Rather than answer substantive criticism, the politician deflects the second heckler's serious question with an irrelevant one about automobiles—and his supporters cheer him as "Vindicated"! This mocks how politicians evade accountability through misdirection and how their supporters will celebrate such evasion as triumph. The cartoon suggests political discourse has become absurdly performative, where dodging questions passes for leadership.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
es RSE RH, SAuT Scissors wee Aut NULLus Pees The Heckling Confronting that great mob he stood, a picture grand to see; The questions burst about his head, but all un- daunted he! Up spake a cruel Heckler then: “O laggard one!" he cried, “Why have you put no crooks in jail, and never even tried?" “My answer,”’ said the Noble One, in tones that all might hear, “Is, What astounding weather for such weather- ous time of year “ But tell,"’ another Heckler said, “why can’t “I make reply,” the Hero said, “ no tricks, Do you prefer four cylinders or do you favor six?"’ resorting to “Hurrah! hurrah his friends all cried, as round his feet they ran, “He's answered all, and now he stands a Vindi- cated Man! —Paul West, in New York World. Just in Time A German shoemaker left the gas turned on in his shop one night, and upon arriving in the morning struck a match to light it. There was 3 terrific explosion, and the shoemaker was blown out through the door almost to the middle of the street A passer-by rushed to his assistance, and after helping him to arise, inquired if he was injured. The little German gazed in at his place of busi. ness, which was now burning quite briskly, and “No, I_aindt hurt. But I got out shust in time. Eh? '—Lippincott’s Cheering Him Up “ Bill,” said the invalid’s friend, “I've come 18 cheer you up a bit like. I've brought yer a few flahrs, Bill. I fought if I was too late they'd come in ‘andy for a wreaf, yer know. Don't get down-'earted, Bill. Lummy, don't you look gashly! But there, keep up yer spifits, ole sport; I've come to sec yer an’ cheer yer up a bit. Nice little room you ‘ave ‘ere, but as I sez to mneself you find the tim When evidence is in your hands, to punish fla- grant crime? "" when I was a-comin’ up: Wot ‘a orkard sta’ to get a coffin dahn! '’—London Globe. “My answer is"’—the words came clear and A Comparison to Hand sharp above the din— “If Donlin were in center field do you suppose we'd win?’ Pertinent was the rebuke administered by police magistrate, who is a keen horsema bluejacket who had been using his for the benefit of sundry saloon-keepers who himself. “You men,” said the judge, “earn your money like horses and spend it like asses! , Companion. “But say," cried Heckler number three, put the money up For your campaign, and why do you with male- factors sup?” ARABELLA, LOOK QUICK! THERE'S A GYPSY United States, Great Brita postage to foreign count n Possessions. $5.0 year ‘ngle current copies, 10 cents. Back numbers, $14 year: to Canada, $2 cents Marthe from date of publication, 28 cents. te Pand adit enous L Ne contribution zwill be returned unless accompanied by stamped and addressed exvelope. Lark ; . does not hold itzelf responsible for the (oss or non return of unsolicited contribution ered fone d tobe rep Live is for sale by all Newsdealers in Great Britain. The International News Company, Breams : io should be sent by enbscribers of any chance of address. The text may be used. jout special permission obs “North Coast Limited” Exposition Special” “Pacific Express” These are the three electric lighted daily trans- continental trains in service after May 23,via the Northern Pacific Railway the Scenic Highway Through the Land of Fortune. @ Through service between Chicago and Puget Sound, via St. Paul-Minneapolis. Through service between St. Louis, Kansas City and the North Coast, via Billings. Through service to and from the boundary of Yellowstone National Park Bverything planned to make this summer's trip to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition and the Northwest the pleasantest ever experienced. SUMMER TOURIST. PARES to the North Pacific Coast, daily to Sept. 30. $62 from Chicago; $57.50 from St. 8: $50 {rom St.Paul. Minneapolis, Duluth, Superior, Omaha, Kansas City. Round trip limit October 31. Corresponding fares from the East generally. Frrite for ttustrated book GaRDiNeR GATEAY YELLOWSTONE PARK ‘Seasoa Jane 5 to Sept. 25 (Founded 1715) kk * AND FINE OLD LIQUEUR PARADISE PARK From Tacoma by aato of GENUINE OLD all, Jone 110 Oct. 1 BRANDIES MADE FROM WINE Sole Agents G.S. NICHOLAS 6CO, ON THE NORTE New York A.M, CLELAND, Gen, Past rAgt, (COAST Lint TED Room 154.Northern Pacific Bldg. ‘St. Paul, Minn. National Irrigation Congress, Spokane Aug. 9 to 14. comicbooks.com