Life — September 18, 1913 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of "Letters of a Japanese School-boy" This satirical piece critiques New York State Governor **Hon. William Seltzer** (likely a fictional or obscured name, as the text playfully misspells it). A Japanese observer humorously questions why Seltzer escaped corruption charges while other governors face legal consequences. The letter writer ironically praises Seltzer as a "Friend of the Worker" while listing corrupt practices: buying political support through gyms, using campaign funds for Wall Street speculation, and purchasing voters' loyalty with beer. The joke exposes how Seltzer apparently avoids prosecution for activities other politicians are prosecuted for—suggesting either selective enforcement or genuine untouchability. The illustration shows men at a bar, reinforcing the theme of political corruption tied to drinking establishments and backroom deals.