Life, 1910-03-24 · page 15 of 44
Life — March 24, 1910 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes American political and corporate power around 1910. Life imagines the U.S. has crowned a king—likely representing President Theodore Roosevelt or plutocratic corporate interests—in a mock-heroic fantasy. The cartoons mock: - **Consolidation of power**: The "King" occupies the White House; Theodore Roosevelt ("Duke of Oyster Bay") leads a "national guard" and "rough riders' auxiliary" - **Corporate dominance**: The coronation occurs at the Standard Oil Building; the court register is the New York Sun; railroad executives receive special favor - **Imperialist ambitions**: The fictional throne pledges to annex South America - **Political suppression**: Mayor Gaynor is ordered to stop making political speeches - **Populist theater**: 700 wagons distribute bread to the masses—hollow charity masking oligarchy The bottom cartoon depicts Kansas farmers petitioning this "King," illustrating rural powerlessness against consolidated wealth and authority. The satire warns that American democracy risks becoming hereditary monarchy ruled by corporate interests.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LIP E- the King granted to his sub- jects, was a petition from the farmers of Kansas to have their territory admitted as part of the empire? They would have come in anyway, but their voluntary surrender was regarded as a happy omen. The capitel at “IP GROVER CLEVELAND HAD ONLY Livep"? Washington is being made over into a residential palace for the King. He will occupy it with his retinue during the spring and autumn, Theodore, Duke of Oyster Bay, will be at the head of the army. He is busy organizing a national guard. There will also be a royal rough riders’ auxiliary. The coronation will be followed by a week of festivity. Seven hun- dred owl wagons filled to overflow- ing will distribute loaves of bread to the populace. The New York Sun has been ap- pointed the Court Register, Fol- lowing is a brief extract from the first speech from the throne: My Loxps axp GENTLEMEN: Our fair country was never in a more prosperous condition. Rail- road carnings have never been so good and more private cars are in use now than ever before in our his- \ tory. As soon as practicable i shall EI r move on South America and annex [11 it to the empire. My people are very dear to me. I shall consider the interests of all, including the members of the Consolidated Ex- change. The coronation, beginning with the proceedings at nine o'clock in the morning at the Standard Oil Building, was very impressive and ht tears to the eyes of many. The King, although naturally worn with the tremendous sense of responsibility and the long ordeal, bore himself well. He was becomingly gowned in a long purple robe covered with ermine and egrets’ feathers. Later in the day all the members of the Albany Legisla- ture laid down their arms. They will be appointed to various minor offices. James Whitcomb Riley will be appointed Poet Laureate. One of the first acts of the new King was to approve of the pay-as-you-enter cars and to order Mayor Gaynor to make no more political speeches. Lire’s advices from various parts of the empire indicate considerable excitement but an undercurrent of One of the advisers close to the King said “This gives a happy end to all our difficulties It has been A PETITION PROM THE FARMERS OF KANSAS THE NEW POET LAUREATE