Life, 1913-10-09 · page 35 of 44
Life — October 9, 1913 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical courtroom drama where **Public Opinion** (personified as a woman) is prosecuted by the District Attorney before "Judge Destiny." She's charged with being fickle, indecisive, and unable to "run things" in the country—changing her mind constantly and concentrating on issues for mere minutes. Public Opinion defensively argues she always corrects her mistakes, though the judge notes this sometimes happens "after the patient is dead" (implying delayed corrections cause harm). When she protests that without her input "who's going to run things," Judge Destiny dismisses her, saying he'll handle it himself. **The satire targets the fickle nature of public opinion in democratic governance**—how it shifts unpredictably, fails to focus on issues seriously, and often "corrects" only after damage is done. The joke suggests that maybe allowing the impersonal force of "Destiny" to govern might actually be preferable to depending on the volatile whims of the voting public. The page also contains automobile advertisements unrelated to the cartoon's message.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
627 Public Opinion Up UBLIC OPINION, having been cornered and ‘captured was brought up to the bar of General Ob- sessions, Judge Destiny presiding. “What is the charge against the prisoner?” The District Attorney read it: “The prisoner has long been at- tempting to run things in this country, without success. The prisoner is al- ways wrong—never concentrates on a question for more than five minutes at a time, and changes her mind from day to day. Furthermore, she is con- stantly stirring up trouble by her arbi- trary and fickle disposition of impor- tant problems.” “What have you got to say for your- self?” said the judge, looking at the prisoner severely, Public Opinion turned red in the face with anger. “Tf you say very much,” she said, “T'll hale you out of court. Besides, it is no such thing. I may decide mat- ters off hand, but I know what I'm Electric push buttons instead of gear levers In the new Haynes models, both hand gear lever and starting crank are relegated to the tool box. _Alll the physical exertion of driving is done away with. You simply press push buttons—located in a handy dial on the steering wheel—and electricity does the work. has also electric lighting and electric waming signal. The tires are filled mechanically. ‘The gasoline is pres- sure fed. ‘The design is more beauti- ful than ever—and the cowl board im- provements more complete. We couldn't materially improve the engine and mechanical construction of the Haynes—they are the highly efficient First Car result of 20 years experience—their absolute reliability is well known. Prices range from $1985 for the four- cylinder car to $3850 for the magni- ficent six-cylinder limousine. All models have the Vulcan Electric Gear Shift—or can be had without it at a $200 reduction. Full information about the new cars is told in a Great auto book by Elwood Haynes In this book, “The Complete Motorist.” the father of the American automobile tells how autos are made and the care they need for perfect service. It is as fascina- ‘Tellsall about the new Haynes models and the Vulcan Electric Gear Shift. Sent for ten cents in stamps. Mention when you write, when you're planning to purchase doing, as a general rule.” “You admit that you have made some awful mistakes in the past?” “Yes; but I have always corrected r At the left (2 Elwood Haynes in America’s them.” = q thencw Fiaynes aivedtingthe pace “Sometimes after the patient is } ? ‘ caulemodiie engineering. dead.” “Well, how are you going to get along without me? Who's going to run things, if you lock me up?” The judge raised his hand: “Take her away,” he said, “and permanently disqualify her from prac- tising.” “T say,” shrieked Public Opinion, as she was led out of the court room, “Who's going to run things without me?” Judge Destiny smiled craftily: “You leave that to me,” he said. 43 Main Street, Kokomo, Ind. ting as fiction, yet as “practical asa plow.” a new car, If you don’t know’ who your nearest Haynes dealer is, ask for bis address () The Haynes Automobile Co. STAGE PICTORIAL ™s"sn Tletares of stare, slage beastienmatlone Wola show givin copyt l yearly. SPECIAL: Send ie. for three October Se. STAGE PICTORIAL, 1495 Rroadw: “An ass may bray a good fore he shakes the stars down. —George Eliot. STOP PUMPING TIRES BY HAND Is there anything more foolish than to pump up your tires by hand when there is a 20 to 90 H. P. engine by your side? Eliminate more than half your “tire troubles”—loss of time, temper and energy—by installing a Fo tinder ELIOG Tire' Pump Regularly installed for years by the makers of the better cars. Specify the standard Kellogg on your next car. Attachments fur- nished for equipping nearly any car made. Ask your dealer or write for our book, “Air On Tap.” KELLOGG MFG. CO. 20 Circle Street, Rochester, N. Y. New York San Francisco Chicago 1733 Broadway 444 Market St. 1112 So, Michigan Ave. FORCIBLE FEEDING comicbooks.com