Life, 1913-10-16 · page 28 of 44
Life — October 16, 1913 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mocks opponents of women's suffrage through three pieces: **"A Great Relief"** sarcastically praises Coroner Mix for blaming a North Haven railroad disaster solely on the engineer rather than the railroad's directors—suggesting it's convenient to blame one powerless worker rather than investigate systemic failures (flimsy cars, outdated signals, corporate negligence). **"Before the Election"** depicts an elderly man voting against women's suffrage for the first time in thirty years, claiming women "wouldn't ever use the vote if they had it"—absurdly suggesting women wouldn't exercise rights they've been denied. **"Goosey, Goosey, Gander"** (by Will Herford) is a versified attack on anti-suffrage activists, mocking their "pride and prejudice" while noting states progressively granting women voting rights. The poem suggests opposition to suffrage is obstinate denial of women's rightful place. The large illustration captioned "THE WHITE WOMAN'S BURDEN" appears to show the weight of responsibility, likely satirizing anti-suffrage arguments about women's limited capacity. The magazine clearly supports women's voting rights.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
pel bal i ol a A Great Relief HEAVY load is lifted off our minds by the report of Coroner Mix, of New Haven County, that the blame for the holocaust at North Haven should be laid, as usual, upon the engineer. Many feared that for once the engineer was going to slip through, in part at least, unscathed. Persistent rumors about flimsy cars made of wood and wholesale whisper- ings of antiquated signals caused many of us to worry lest the directors of the New Haven road might have to share in the culpability, but Coroner Mix has put a firm and official quietus upon all such appre- hensions. Of course it will be a hard blow to the wife and children of the engineer to have him pronounced a criminal by an unbiased tribunal, but it is better thus, for there is only one of him, while there are twenty-seven directors. New Haven County should be thankful that it has such a trustworthy official, the New Haven road should be thankful that it has such efficient directors and everybody should be thankful for everything. Before the Election LD John S- , laboriously walking down to vote, was met by an intimate friend, who said: “Why, John, I'm surprised to see you here, I thought you never voted.” Joun: “Well, I haven't cast a vote for thirty year, but I came down here to cast a vote against that crazy woman's suffrage amendment. Why, they wouldn't ever use the vote if they had it.” Goosey, Goosey, Gander NTI-SUFFRAGE GANDER, Whither dost thou wander. Robed in pride and prejudice, Stubborn facts to ponder? Every little while you note One more State where women vote, One more State they’re making good, One more State where womanhood Stands where by all right it’ should, Anti-suffrage gander. * THE ONE WHO VOTES 2 Will Herford. comicbooks.com