Life, 1913-10-23 · page 12 of 40
Life — October 23, 1913 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes congressional debate. Mr. Blurb of New York speaks about American democratic principles, invoking the nation's foundational strengths. Ms. Snivelson objects that "this is the same speech the gentleman from New York made last week"—mocking repetitive, substance-free political rhetoric. The right cartoon, "Her First Masculine Attachment," shows a woman in formal dress between two men in military/official regalia, likely satirizing romantic or political entanglements. The caption suggests confusion about her "masculine attachment"—possibly mocking women's political participation or suffrage debates of the era by presenting serious civic involvement as equivalent to romantic infatuation. The cartoons together mock both political repetition and women's emerging public roles.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PETE: What Congress is Doing (Being a revised, corrected and improved excerpt from , the Congressional Record.) HE House being in Committee of the Whole to consider the welfare of the nation, Mr. Blurb, of New York, arose to make a few re- marks: Gentlemen and Politicians: When first the swarthy redskin roamed these mighty shores A (no applause) and implanted in our hearts those rough, ready and rugged qualities which make for (noise on the Republican side) sincerity and earnestness of purpose (snores) : and when later in the centuries the great fundamental ane (noise on the Democratic side) principles upon which we stand were first fundamentalized and crystallized, (several Congressmen arise and slouch languid- ly from the room) it was then that the world first began to look to us for assistance (prolonged noise) in upholding those far-reaching and eternal privileges which (prolonged tears) have proven so ‘efficacious in times of stress and made us what we are. (Sighs of relief). If you will bear with me for a few hours, I should like, for your enlightenment and guidance, to trace briefly the development of our glorious country from the carliest time down to the present. (Cries of “Help! Help!”.) 1 shall not keep you long, but I want to make it clear to you that we are now reaching a cri in the cycle of evo- lution. What does Khayyam say in his beautiful poem, Omar? “ Dew-capped obstacles, mountain high, Can't stop man from rushing by.” What a library of truth is bound up in that little cou- plet! Man is the fullest flower of the twentieth century. Nothing can impede his onward march (groans from the Democratic side). But on the other hand (groans from the Republican side) we must also bear in mind that a country as large and as important as this can not much longer hope to compete for supremacy in the eyes of the world unless it pays its Congressmen more money (mem- bers on both sides waken and rub their eyes). In talking to such an intelligent assembly as this (applause from all parts of the room) it is quite unnecessary to adduce ex- tended data in proof of the fact that upon our shoulders rest the chief responsibilities of civilization (prolonged and enthusiastic applause). And, therefore, I say— Mr. Snivet (who has just arrived). Mr. Speaker, I ob- ject. The gentleman's speech is out of order. Tue Speaker. It was my understanding that there was not expected to be any order to this speech, but you may state the grounds of your objection. Mr. Sniver. I object on the ground that this is the same speech the gentleman from New York made last week, HER FIRST MASCULIN ATTACH MENT Mr. Biurs. That is not true. to bring it up to date. Tue Speaker. The objection is not sustained. The gen- tleman may continue. Mr. Brurs. As I have just received an invitation to lunch with a well-known lobbyist from my district, I move that the welfare of the nation be postponed and I should like to have the privilege of extending my remarks in the Record. Tue Speaker. If there is no objection, it is so ordered. E.0.J. I have changed it a little Witt many a man economy begins at home and ends on the Great White Way. Undying Friendship THE great financier was almost ready to pay his last account. A friend hastening in met the physician. “Ts he very ill?” he asked anxiously. “He is,” replied the physician, “I fear that his end is not far off. “Do you think,” he asked hesitatingly, “do you think he would recognize me in his last moments?” “Yes, but I advise you to hurry. The best places are rapidly being taken.” comicbooks.com