Life, 1913-10-23 · page 15 of 40
Life — October 23, 1913 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical piece from Life magazine, written in deliberately fractured English (appearing to be attributed to "Hashimura Togo," a fictional Japanese character used for social commentary in this era). The cartoon mocks Congressional protectionism and hypocrisy. It depicts figures celebrating Hon. Oscar Underwood, apparently for supporting protective tariffs. The satire targets: 1. **Protectionist hypocrisy**: Politicians condemn foreign artists (Murillos, Michelangelos, Rembrandts) entering duty-free while supporting tariffs on goods, yet celebrate Underwood's tariff policies. 2. **Congressional absurdity**: A proposed $75,000,000 appropriation for a "Government Newspaper" to "tell the truth about Congress"—satirizing both government spending and press freedom concerns. 3. **Underwood's reputation**: He's portrayed as freeing "everything mentionable" through tariffs (contrasted with Lincoln freeing enslaved people)—suggesting tariff policy is treated as more consequential than abolition. The broken English device distances the commentary, allowing sharper political criticism under the guise of foreign observation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“|? ac “When—O suddenly—I seen who it was!” Murillos, Mike Angelos and Rembrandts can now and Poet Loureate, have just handed in new National come into this country free,” report Hon. Root, Pro- Anthem, which you will please sing or whistle: gressive. “ What good does them foreigners do America, except to ‘My tariff, 'tis of thee, carn wages and go back home?” he snibble reproachly Bill of the noble free, while turning off. Of thee we sing! From there I elope rapidly over to House of Commons Free wool and cotton socks, for see how Hon. Champion Clark ran this school. Jo Free candy, beef and clocks, Uncle Cannon refuse to accompany my feetsteps there, be- Through all the retail stocks cause he say the sight make him nervus. Let freedom ring!"” When I entered top-gallery of that hall I suddenly ob- serve all Congressmans leap to their feetware and begin As soonly as this anthem-song were finished all settle holla, “Our Hero!” I felt cousiderable Lillian Russell backwards to desk while Hon, Richard Peachy Hobson for this ovation, but nextly I realize that they was not jump forthly with passioned expression. making them banzais for me, but for one upright states- “Mr. Speak!” he yellup, “I wish Congress would ap- man who enter dressed hansomely in Schedule K. By propriate 75,000,000$ for start Government Newspaper.” his satisfied photograph I knew it was Hon. Oscar Under- “Why do this gentleman wish appropriate such expensive wood. newspaper?” require Rep Nealy with Texas expression. “Congress!” exclam Hon. Champion Clark, “let us for- So it will tell the truth about Congress,” say Rep Hob. get everything else in congratulating Hon. Osc Underwood, “You are asking too little,” renig Hon. Nealy. So he who are greater man than Hon. Abe Lincoln, because took up the Currency in the place where it was exhausted. Hon, Abe merely freed niggeroes, who are not considered Hoping you are the same, very high tariff in Democratic sections; but Hon. Osc Yours truly, has freed everything mentionable, except xylophones and Hasutmura Toco, zebra oil. Hon. Jo Tumulty, Administration Stenographer (Per Wallace Irwin.) comicbooks.com