Life, 1916-07-27 · page 21 of 32
Life — July 27, 1916 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the 1912 presidential election between incumbent Woodrow Wilson and challenger Charles Evans Hughes. The cartoon's caption metaphor—a dog too eager to catch its own tail—represents the fragmented opposition to Wilson. The text explains that while Wilson faced diverse opponents (pro-Germans, pro-British, Irish-American groups opposed to his policies, and Wall Street business interests), these groups failed to unite effectively against him. The satire suggests their contradictory grievances worked against each other, like a dog chasing itself uselessly. The illustration shows a well-dressed man on horseback observing a family group with dogs—likely representing the scattered, quarrelsome nature of Wilson's opposition. The article notes some voting women opposed Wilson but for inconsistent reasons, adding to the chaotic election landscape heading toward November.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“MY, BUT YOUR DOG IS SUPPLE! I BET HE CAN CATCH HIS OWN TAIL.” “NO, HE CAN'T; HE'S TOO EAGER; HE RUNS PAST 11,” Election Prospects substantial elements, east and west,” who are used to rule mt party, see the obstacte They want him out of the way. So does Mr. Roosevelt, whose one political aim just noly N the first of July the presidential odds were two to one on Hughes. The Springfield Republican, review- ing prospects on July 3rd, thought the Hughes backers had reason to be pleased with the outlook. Against Mr. Wil- son are pro-Germans who hate him because he is not kind enough to “Fatherland”; pro-British who hate him be- cause he is not kind enough to “Our Old Home,” and the Clan-na-Gael who object that he has not rooted as he should for “the ould sod.” These variegated opponents ought to pair off, but there is no assurance that they will. Then the Republican finds most of Wall Street and most of big- business opposed to Mr. Wilson, in whom “the solid and the country through the Republi to their return to power. Some voting women will vote against t the hard to is to beat Wilson. Wilson because they feel a fiercer grudge ag: Democrats than against the Republicans, but it see on what grounds either candidate can set up a special claim to the woman vote. But the first of July is very early in the race—about one furlong of the mile. The a sporting, proposition right through to November, with varying odds in every fortnight. comicbooks.com