Life, 1914-01-01 · page 18 of 44
Life — January 1, 1914 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes New Year's resolutions made by major American institutions around the early 20th century. Each group—Government, Railroads, Republican Party, and Wall Street—makes transparently false, self-serving promises. The joke is their obvious hypocrisy: the Government claims to prioritize public happiness; railroads promise politeness despite profiteering; Republicans vow to abandon corruption and "money-changers"; Wall Street claims reform despite admittedly bad habits. Each resolution is hollow—they're simply restating their existing failures as noble intentions. The lower cartoons are separate gags: a child (Bobbie) gorges candy despite warnings; "Weary William" describes the simple transaction of tipping a doorman for coat-check service as the ideal "kind of work"—satirizing economic desperation or laziness. The satire targets institutional hypocrisy and broken promises at year's end.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE DEBUTANTE New Year's Resolutions 'HE Government—“ Having for a number of months past taken the whole people into consideration in governmental policies, and having found that the happiness of all concerned is increased thereby, I resolve to continue upon that policy as long as possible.” Tue Rattroaps—* We have resolved to face right about in our attitude toward the public. We are going to be polite and considerate and do our work efficiently, unin- fluenced by greed for dividends or other sordid factors, We shall never swear at the public again.” Repustican Party—“I have resolved to turn over a new leaf; to drive the money-changers from the temple of my heart, and to soften and expand that important organ until it takes in all humanity and until all the offices and public emoluments are once again in my possession.” Watt Street—" Having introspected myself carefully, and having discovered that many of my habits are so bad that nobody will associate with me, I solemnly and con- tritely resolve to do anything necessary to attract the public once again to my precincts.” “ROBBIE, if you cat any more of that candy you will surely be sick.” Bosste (keeping on): I would have been sick anyway when I was only half way through what I've eaten already. Weary William: cee! tHat’s easy, HE HANDS THE DOOD HIS LID AN’ THE DOOD SLIPS HIM A NICKEL. JUST THE KIND 0’ WORK I’M LOOKIN’ FER, t comicbooks:com