Life, 1910-09-22 · page 11 of 40
Life — September 22, 1910 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes women's suffrage through multiple pieces. The top illustration titled "Trying Psycho-Physico Suggestions" depicts a woman attempting to influence a baby in a crib using pictures and artwork—likely mocking claims that women could exert subtle psychological influence if granted voting rights. "L'Envoi of the Suffrage" poem mockingly describes women voting procedures, suggesting women voters would be easily manipulated ("They shall have real ballots to vote with; though, of course, made pretty and small") and prone to fraud ("They shall vote three or four times over, and never get caught"). The "War" section presents arguments *for* wartime moral flexibility, appearing to contrast with suffrage arguments. "In Our Town" provides census data about New York's Jewish population—possibly linking immigration anxieties to suffrage debates, though the connection remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
TRYING PSYCHO-PHYSICO SUGGESTION. L’Envoi of the Suffrage HEN the suffrage petition is granted, and the feminine vote has been polled; When the oldest woman has voted and the youngest woman is old; We shall rest, and faith we shall need it, sit down for a moment or two, Till the militant Leaders of Fashion shall set us to work anew. Then those that can vote shall be happy; they shall sit in a golden booth, And register what their age is, without regard for the truth. They shall have real ballots to vote with; though, of course, made pretty and small; They shall vote three or four times over, and never get caught at all. And only the women shall count votes, and only the women shall sort; . And no one shall care if they’re surplus and no one shall care if they're short But cach in her very best bonnet, and each in a separate pen, Shall vote just as she has a mind to for the law as it will be then! Carolyn Wells. War we is much more than merely the absence of peace. War is a condition where all is fair. It is governed only Ly the whims and caprices of the commanders of the participants. War, therefore, has nothing to do with consti- tutions, statutes, morals, traditions, manners or ctiquette. During war it is right to forage, which is a euphemism for ste During war it is right to decimate the enemy, which is a circumlocution for murder. Fi During war it is right to be a spy, which is another name for lying. During war it is right to confiscate contraband, which is an invasion of the rights of property. During war it is right to draft soldiers, which violates the sacred right of personal liberty. During war it is right to be led away by the passion of the moment, which is another name for acting foolishly. In Our Town RONX: I sce that according to the new census the popu- lation of New York is 4,766,883. Joxx: Of whom 5,994,813 are Jews.