Life, 1910-06-16 · page 18 of 44
Life — June 16, 1910 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece celebrates Theodore Roosevelt's anticipated return to prominence (likely referencing his post-presidency activities or political re-emergence). The page uses mock-operatic language to mock both Roosevelt and the press's enthusiastic coverage of him. **Key satirical targets:** - **Roosevelt himself**: Portrayed as vain and celebrated beyond reason, with references to his hunting exploits ("Grant's Gazelle," "Lion fell") mocking his famous African safari - **Sensationalist newspapers**: Named explicitly (Brooklyn Eagle, Nashville Banner, etc.), the chorus satirizes how newspapers fawned over Roosevelt's movements - **Corrupt wealth**: The "Ananias Club" (a reference to biblical liars), "Mergers," "Rebates," and "Tainted Wealth" suggest Roosevelt posed as a trust-buster while wealthy elites secretly supported him - **Press sycophancy**: William Loeb (Roosevelt's secretary) shepherds preserved animal heads—a joke about the press manufacturing mythology around Roosevelt The overall message: Roosevelt's return generates absurd media hysteria, and his anti-corruption rhetoric masks continued elite corruption.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Scene: The harbor of Manhattan. In the background the Ananias Club, be which stands a wistful, watchful, ¢ pectant Teddy Bear. Enter, hurriedly Jacob A. Riis. Mk, Rus (recitative) : D declare, O Teddy Bear, Ingratiating cub, What makes this din of grief within The Ananias Club? No longer swini ghland flings The painted Lyre Bird, But crouches low before his foe, ‘The Shorter, Uglier Word. And Mergers stark and Rebates dark, Affrighted phantoms, flit; While shrieking flies with rolling cyes The Undesired Cit Their Tainted Wealth in stealth Rich Malefactors bid “MERGERS STARK AND REBATES DARK "* And, by meh faith! is yon the wraith Of pale Race Suicide? The Muckful Rake and Nature Fake Are wretched sights to see: Declare, declare, thou Teddy Bear, Why should these marvels be? Tne Teopy Bear: He comes! with a cargo of glory! *LIFE: The Return “THEIR TAINTED WEALTIC RICH MALEPACTORS MipE "* St surpasses The gleam of his gl: What comet the flash of his teeth! Oh, Scribner's is full of his story; The Outlook is ’way above par; The Trusts have the blue: And shake in their shoes. He's coming! He's coming! T. R.!!! fall into each other's arms and down to the landing to the strains ° Merry Wido: alts, Marching chorus of enthusiastic ne paper paragraphers Let the Brooklyn Eagle scream! Raise the Nashville Banner high! Paris Beacon redly gleam! Wink with gladness Needles Draw the bright Toledo Blade? Flash the Memphis Scimitar? Pittsburg Sun dispel the shade! Twinkle Honolulu Star! Sound the San Francisco Call! Bronson Bugle, tell the tal Claflin Clarion, speak to all! in Echo, wake the vale! Buzz, O busy Bison Bee! Reading Searchlight, lend your ray! Ludlow Meteor, dance with glee! Wilsey Warbler, lift the lay! Acton Rooster, grandly crow! Cackle, cackle, Plymouth Hen! Bid the Quincy Herald blow— HE is coming home again! Chorus of Salted Hides, Boiled Bones and Preserved Heads landed (duty free) under chaperonage of Mr. William Loeb: 1 was a Lion fell Who died behind a bowler, I was a Grant's Gazelle— HE shot me through the shoulder. I was a Brindled Gnu. 1 was a little Cony I was a Kangaroo. I was a blithe And I tha Kongoni. As a Banded Bandicoot, Am a Nature Myth Labeled “ Smith- Sonian Institoot !"* (Cnorus) Toot! toot ! Smithsonian Institoot ! Solo, by a Pensive Pr-s-d-nt: Oh, let us be gay, and let us be gay, As gay as ever can be! Meet, “ou, LeT US BE Gay" comicbooks.com