Life, 1913-11-06 · page 45 of 56
Life — November 6, 1913 — page 45: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical cartoon titled "Judge Destiny" (visible in the text) that appears to criticize American institutional corruption. The cartoon depicts a courtroom scene where "Corruption" is the defendant, charged by "The People of the United States." The satire's central point is cynical commentary on American society's failure to hold corruption accountable. The prosecutor presents exhibits including "a bought Press," "26,245 Houses of Prostitution," "a rotten Banking System," and "Forty-nine Legislatures"—cataloging systemic corruption across institutions. The punchline is darkly humorous: when the judge asks where "The People" are to testify against corruption, the answer is they're absent, "playing baseball and attending the moving picture shows"—too distracted by entertainment to participate in civic responsibility. The judge dismisses the case because the public won't show up. The surrounding advertisements (Aetna insurance, playing cards, tire pumps) are standard commercial content typical of Life magazine's layout during this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“HLEVIERSESs Motorists--Read This “ Possibly three-fourths of the tires returned to the manufacturers for repairs have been ridden insufficiently inflated. Insufficient inflation is re- sponsible to a greater extent than perhaps any- thing else for blowouts and quick disintegration.” By F, A. HENDERSON, manager adjusting depart- ment of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Save These Tire Repairs by installing a ‘Four Cylinder ELLO&G Then your tires will always be properly in- flated—quickly and easily. Your motor does all the work. The Kellogg is the standard tire pump. Used solely for years by Packard, Peerless, Win- ton, Stevens Duryea, Lozier, Stearns, Palmer- Singer, Franklin, Chalmers, Havers, and r many others. Easily installed on practically every car made or in use. Ask your dealer about it—or write for our free book—“Air on Tap.” KELLOGG MFG. CO., 20 Circle St., Rochester, N. Y. New York San Francisco 446 Sarket St Qiicago Ht Broadway 1112 $. Michigan Ave, and apparently innocent thing like you going wrong.” “Well, Your Honor, I can't always help it. You see, I've been bought and paid for.” Judge Destiny turned to the attorney: “Have you any exhibits against this prisoner?" “Quite a number, Your Honor; Ex- A—A bought Press; Exhibit B— 26,245 Houses of Prostitution; Exhibit C—A rotten Banking System. I had great trouble in getting it into court, Your Honor, It almost fell to pieces on the way. Exhibit D—Forty-nine Legisla- “Phew!” “Exhibit E—One Congress—” “Say no more! Who are the com- plainants against this prisoner?” “The People of the United States.” “Where are they?” “They have failed to appear. They are all busy, Your Honor, playing base- ball and attending the moving picture shows,” There was a long silence in court ; then WITH COMPLETE INSURANCE For THE HOME —Secure against loss through burglary or theft. —Secure against loss through glass-breakage. —Secure against loss through damage by water or explosion of boilers. —Secure against loss through injury to servants or guests on the premises. —Secure against loss of rent through fire and other calamities. Youre’ THE AATNA’S Combination Residence Policy (Sold in States where authorized) if you value a feeling of absolute security against all possible financial loss. ‘Lin, tear off ond mail back coupon NOW TO THE AETNA ACCIDENT AND LIABILITY CO., HARTFORD, CONN. Lire Please mail me full particulars of your Combination Residence Policy. My Name and Address ( Tear off) Hoyle up-to-date Judge Destiny, reaching for what he thought was a pure Havana (but which really wasn’t), leaned back in his chair reflectively and said: “T can't hold you, my friend, because the principals in this case—the People of the United States—are not even will- ing to take the trouble to appear against yr play at you.” PLAYING CARDS CLUB INDEXES For General Play he sterling quality of jo Bicycle cards home or club surpasses by far — Ivory or Air-Cushion Finish NCINNATI. U.S. A. “Tur greatest advantage I know of deing thought a wit by the world is, that it gives one the greater freedom of comicbooks.com