Life, 1916-01-20 · page 10 of 44
Life — January 20, 1916 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes potential 1916 presidential candidates by humorously "accepting applications" for the presidency. The text suggests various prominent figures—Winston Churchill, Diamond Jim Brady, Carrie Chapman Catt, George Ade, and John D. Rockefeller Jr.—as candidates, mocking their qualifications. The cartoon below depicts a figure labeled "GOOD NEWS" receiving what appears to be war-related dispatches ("six ammunition flats and two ships last week"), satirizing how candidates might exploit international conflict for political advantage. The page ridicules how anyone could theoretically run for president, while also jabbing at wealthy industrialists and public figures who might seek the office. The overall tone mocks both ambitious candidates and the electoral process itself.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
102 Presidential Candidates, Ahoy! Now Is the Time for Everybody to Line Up INETEEN-SIXTEEN is now on deck. All who wish to apply for the position of our can- didate for the presidency should make application at once at this office, registering their names and stating their qualifications. Line forms on the right. Please remember that anyone can apply for the job. You should be able to read and write your own name. Spelling is not important. George Washington was a poor speller, but that did not stand in his way. Amid such a wealth of material, it is difficult to make Our own suggestions to date are as follows: Winston Cuurcuitt: Would issue his annual mes- sages in the form of best sellers. His cabinet would con- stitute the leading publishers of the country—the nearest approach to government by royalty we have ever had. Possibly worth considering. Dramonp Jim: Would insure a large-hearted adminis- tration, and all-stcel cars to transport the embattled farm- ers of the interior when, with one voice, they spring to the Atlantic coast to defend the banking interests of New York. Knows how to give a good dinner, thus insuring the gastronomical vote. Carnie Cuaraax Catt: a choice. Catt’s large experience Mrs, FROM THE WesT?” SIX AMMUNITION PLANTS “AND WHAT NEW “GOOD NEWS, YOUR MAJESTY. AND TWO SHIPS LAST \ “LIFE * THE SHIP THAT NEVER CAME IN as the head of suffrage party will insure a dignified ad- ministration. As president, she would undoubtedly put male after-dinner speaking under government control. This alone ought to entitle her claims to respectful con- sideration. Grorcr Ave: Mr. Ade assures us that if elected, his state papers will be models of terseness, which will be read with delight by everybody. Furthermore, they will be un- derstood. This is a great point in his favor. Mr. Ade also agrees to get several laughs out of Congress, something that has never been done before. Joun D. Rockerenter, Jx.: A splendid young man, As he eventually will own the government, anyway, why not do the handsome thing by him now? This argument is worth considering. The claims of other candidates will from time to time, as they make application. it costs nothing to become a candidate for president, ex- cept your reputation and the fare to Washington, and neither of these is of any consequence to any real patriot. be considered Remember, eee MANAGER: Why do you keep this scenery any longer? Property Man: Well, it isn’t quite old enough fet for Milwaukee and too old for Boston.