Life, 1913-05-08 · page 43 of 48
Life — May 8, 1913 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a scathing satirical piece criticizing Georgia's criminal justice system, not a cartoon. The author uses bitter irony to expose the state's hypocrisy. The context: Georgia had faced criticism for widespread child labor. A ten-year-old boy received an eleven-year prison sentence for stealing a five-cent bottle of soda water—a sentence the Georgia Supreme Court upheld. The satire's point: The author mockingly congratulates Georgia for "solving" its child labor problem through criminalization rather than reform. He sarcastically argues that imprisoning children for minor theft is "ideal"—they require no wages, can't unionize or strike, and provide free labor to the state as prisoners. This exposes the cruel logic whereby Georgia could simultaneously maintain child labor *and* punish children by simply criminalizing them. The piece satirizes both the severity of the sentence and the state's implicit endorsement of exploitative child labor practices disguised as justice. The author is E.O.J. (initials only, suggesting *Life* magazine's editorial voice).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Progress in Georgia OWN in Georgia a ten-year-old boy has been sent to prison for eleven years for stealing a five-cent bottle of soda water, and the sentence has been solemnly confirmed by the Georgia Supreme Court. Georgia is entitled to great credit for this, for there is more in it than the mere upholding of the sacred majesty and benignity of the law or the protection of property rights Georgia has been much criticised for the great numbers of child laborers within her borders and, of course, even in the most marble-hearted of us, there still lingers a slight embar- rassment when we set out to justify child labor. Here, however, is a chance to preserve child labor and to punish horrible offenders at one fell stroke. Under the Supreme Court decision there is no reason why there should ever more be a shortage of child labor in Georgia. It is the simplest thing in the world to induce a child to steal alittle something. Then you have him and for as long as necessary. Turn him over to respectable prison con- You need Vogue this Summer whether you go where society is, or whether you are planning to rest awhile in some quiet spot where Vogue will be exactly the connecting link that you will now want to maintain. 25 cents a copy $40 year Twice a month 24 numbers CONDE NAST, Publisher 443 Fourth Ave., New York Opens with the (eens, ous | Saxo Underground Garbage Receiver | WET<A SSO NO FLIES. NOLITTER. NO ODORS Your kind ; of shoes! HE sturdy character of Walk-Over shoes appeals to men. Styles, lines, leathers —the way they fit and feel, wear and satisfy. All prove the dominant, masterly qualities of Walk-Overs. Shoes of calibre—of rugged, honest materials, fashioned with skill, care and conscience. They agree well with any man’s stride—or pride! Wear Walk-Overs and learn at first hand the utmost in shoe comfort, worth and quality. Any Walk-Over store or agency will have your size, width and style. Call and get fitted. Try them — Walk- Overs are sold everywhere. From$3.50 to $7.0 standard prices $4.50 and $5.00. GEO. E. KEITH COMPANY Manufacturers of Walk-Oversfor Men and Women Campello (Brockton), Mass. The want“ Walk-Over"* appears on every genuine Walk-Over Shoes By John Cowan. M.D, 400 pages, 100 Married 9 THE SCIENCE OF A NEW LIFE. — illustrations, This is the most valuabl took on the marriage relation ever issued. Circular giving full Higmation free. Address 1. §. OGILVIE PUBLISHING CO., 107 Rose St., New York oF tractors. Don't have to pay him wages. Loses no time going to and coming from work. Can't quit. Can't join a union. Can't strike. It is ideal. Georgia, you are a great State. You are entitled to the thanks of all of us for solving a very knotty industrial and ethical problem. After all these years, Georgia still lives up to the revered memory of her namesake, King George III E. 0. J. A pitysictan said: “ The food which is not digested devoureth him that cateth it; eat then food in moderation that thou mayest have the power to digest Tare affirm that what the ancients fabulously reported of Pandora’s box is strictly true of the doctor’s packet, and that it contains in it the seeds and prin- ciples of all diseases——Daniel Defoe. comicbooks.com