Life — October 16, 1913 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine Pro-Suffrage Number This page announces Life's decision to issue a pro-woman suffrage number, inviting contributions from suffrage supporters. The magazine positions itself as providing fair coverage by dedicating an issue to this cause. The main cartoon depicts a woman struggling to balance a large globe labeled "THE BALLOT" while men (likely railroad stockholders or businessmen) watch from below with the caption "WHICH WOULD THAT INTELLIGENT MARTIAN VISITOR PICK OUT FOR THE VOTES?" The accompanying article criticizes railroad engineers for prioritizing stockholder profits over public welfare. The cartoon's point appears to be that outsiders would find it absurd that women are denied voting rights while burdened with other responsibilities—contrasting what an "intelligent" observer would expect with actual American political practices.