Life, 1910-09-01 · page 14 of 48
Life — September 1, 1910 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes political corruption through an extended metaphor. The main cartoon illustrates politics as a shell game—the Politician manipulates walnut shells while the Public tries to guess which conceals the "pea," representing truth or fair dealing. The accompanying text expands this critique: the Politician swears to "love, honor and obey the Public" (like marriage vows), then immediately abandons these promises. The Politician boasts of raising taxes, corrupting the legislature, and charging exorbitant fees—all while pretending these are mere "bagatelles" (trifles). The final exchange mocks class pretension: one figure claims aristocratic ancestry ("ancestors came over in the Mayflower"), while another trumps this with absurdist humor ("my father descended from an aeroplane"), deflating pretentious status-claiming. The satire exposes how politicians deceive the public through sleight-of-hand deception while enriching themselves, and how citizens foolishly grant them respect despite obvious corruption.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
342 Life’s Fresh Air Fund $6,623.80 10.00 10.00 Previously acknowledged Bava Ty Riszessne in Memory of Alice W Anonymous . “The Hathaway Children Charles F, Miller. Mrs. C. In Memory of D. K. A.B. B. Elizabeth, ler Mathers 25.00 3.00 1,00 10.62 $.00 1.00 19.00 Constance years old, “sends her all ‘Thalia and Malcolm... LD. N part ‘of ‘the proceeds of 3 ville entertatament at Conn. Some Postals from the Farm Dear Mother: I received now. Wher some green apples to coo yellow apples. "t think writing this 1 you Ta From your lov. Dear Mornee: ‘The country is fine. I weigh 59 Ibs. comi when I come home I think I will weig! Ibs. Ard mother I wish you all were with me as T am having a fir and I wish you all are well. Dear Mrs. 1 am glad to wright that Joe likes it ve: mu give kiss to Mr. L. do not be angry with my writing for Iam on the train. Dear Maz We are enjoying our selfs very much up here. The name of the place is Life's Farm, Branchville, Conn. Write soon and send us some money. We sleep together lenty to cat. etta is v Kisses to all Your lovin) WAL TORE we THE EXTENT OF THE LOSS “IN CONCLUSION, WE CAN ONLY AS MAVING SUCH A DISTINGUTS: Politics HE game of politics, like chess, is of ancient and obscure origin. Its in- vention, however, is usually ascribed to the devil. It was played with varying success among the Egyptians and Baby- lonians, and has continued in favor down to the present day. On one side is the Public and on the other is the Politician, ‘ow, watch carefully! '? says the lat- ter, and nonchalantly he manipulates the walnut shells. The problem is when for the Public to guess under which shell the pea is. Or, to change the figure, the game may be likened to the marriage service, in which the Politician swears to love, honor and obcy the Public. URE TUE PLEASURE WE FEEL IN OUR MipsT’? you oF D STRANGER Within a however, the usually proceeds to Reno. Entrust your public affairs says the Politician, “and I will m ¢ them to the best of my dis waste your money, raise the tax r corrupt the legislature. I charge for all that? Oh, bagatelle—the difference. betweer things are worth and what you them.”" Is it any wonder the Public ho! a man in honor and esteem? week, ¢ and And whet will mere what y for such Y ancestors came over in the May> flower.”” “That's nothing; my father descended from an acroplane.””