Life, 1917-12-27 · page 29 of 41
Life — December 27, 1917 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mocks women's suffrage activists, specifically those imprisoned at Occoquan jail in Washington. The top sketch shows a street scene with the caption "The Star-Spangled Banner," likely referencing patriotic rhetoric used by suffragists. The article sarcastically defends jailers accused by Mrs. Brannan of mistreating "militant ladies" (suffragists). Life's position: these women deliberately got arrested for publicity, then complained about conditions to generate newspaper headlines. The piece characterizes them as manipulative—using "tricks, wiles and subterfuges"—and suggests they demand special treatment while being ungrateful and abusive to staff. "The Encore" cartoon (bottom right) appears to show women making demands or complaints. The satire dismisses suffragists as calculating publicity-seekers rather than serious activists, a common anti-suffrage argument of the era. Modern readers should note this represents *opposition* to women's voting rights.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“ The Star-Spangled Banner * Wilful Women RS. BRANNAN reports terrible incivilities to the Washington militants in the Occoquan j Testi- mony to the contrary has not appeared yet, but if what she says is true, the Occoquan jailers are the obligingest men on carth. The militant ladies imposed themselves on Occo- quan’s hospitalities for the sole purpose of making a sen- sation and getting it printed with large headlines in the papers. Any one of them could get out at any time by pay- ing a fine of twenty-five dollars. They preferred to stay in, and forthwith (if Mrs. Brannan’s stories are true) the amiable jailers seem to have tried to help them out in their purpose by giving them something to talk about. What do the jailers get for their amiable actions? Nothing but hard words and abusive headlines. They must learn what manner of women they are deal- ing with; how ruthless, how reckless, how selfish, how clever. Average people like those jailers do not at all appreciate the formidable character of such women, or the tricks, wiles and subterfuges they will use to accomplish their ends, The very best talent should be employed in the care of these ladies, and female talent should be preferred. To humor them with hardships is a mistake. At this writ- ing they have all been turned out of jail, and that seems wise handling of a hard job. Their game is always to behave like vixens, and demand the treatment that is used to be given to women of refinement and good behavior. THE ENCORE comicbooks.com