Life, 1916-04-06 · page 57 of 80
Life — April 6, 1916 — page 57: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Main Editorial Content:** The left column presents a scathing critique of "martial law," arguing it isn't law at all but rather arbitrary governmental power—governors suspending legal systems to favor influential friends. The author proposes renaming it "martial anarchy" or "martial fiddlesticks." A humorous sidebar anecdote follows: an Arkansas man learns homestead law means the government bets 160 acres you *can't* survive five years without starving. **The Cartoon:** The bottom illustration shows a mother desperately asking her husband Bobby to distract their crying baby. The visual humor stems from the irony of domestic chaos—the husband is surrounded by toys and possessions yet apparently helpless to console the child, satirizing male incompetence at childcare or parenting. **Advertisements:** The page includes luxury brand ads (Tiffany & Co. jewelry, A. A. Valentine Panama Hats), typical of Life's upscale readership. **Overall Theme:** This page juxtaposes serious political satire about governmental overreach with lighthearted domestic humor and aspirational advertising—characteristic of Life's mix of intellectual critique and popular culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ets, & far- laut jeatt rom r of ants nted Martial Law [" is hereby moved, seconded and carried that the expression “mar- tial law” be given a dishonorable discharge and that something more descriptive be found for situations re- ferred to by the said misnomer. This action is supported by the best reason in the world—namely, that martial law is not law. It is anything else but law. When a governor finds it is not to the interest of his influential friends to look kindly upon a law which other citizens want enforced, he is allowed in most of the states to settle the argument by substituting his own “ say 80,” to sweep aside the whole body of carefully evolved laws and put into ¢ffect his own arbitrary notion, which derives its just powers from the ability of his soldiers to shoot straight. We could call it martial anarchy or official anarchy or martial arbitrari- ness or martial makeshift or martial fiddlesticks or martial most anything at all but martial law. Aw Arkansas man who intended to take up a homestead claim in a neighboring state sought information in the matter from a friend, “T don't remember the exact wording of the law,” said the latter, “but I can give ye the meanin’ of it all right. It's like this: The government of the United States is willin’ to bet one hundred and sixty acres of land against fourteen dol- lars that ye can't live on it five years without starvin’ to death.”—Argonaut. TIFFANY & CO, JEWELRY OF THE FINEST QUALITY SILVERWARE SUBSTANTIAL IN WEIGHT INTELLIGENT AND CAREFUL SERVICE BY MAIL FIFTH AVENUE & 37 STREET NEwYorK - le. oe - Patani Hats ® The Oriental Store Sin anaes area Tavares ibis weave unser teats Imorberts conditions neceaay fo preg gy Mall Peg reaay'to wear i the sane condion aa eerved ort the ostlvoweayera and may berhaped and wine taut Geena the Vantine aoorance oe <¢ Wiaetion get remuse of the orice iit aasaiemer ee $5 Write for Catslogue, Malled free wpon request. Ihus- rcnaltea i wat Tahoe ted Pint nique Ortectal objects of a iy or diy a8 the edition {s limited, Ra “AVANTINE* e €0 Ie “Ines Fifth Avenue & 39th Street. Mew York Mother's Voice: BOBBY, WILL YOU PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO GET BABY TO STOP CRYING—GIVE HIM SOMETHING TO PLAY WIT comicbooks.com