Life, 1919-03-06 · page 30 of 42
Life — March 6, 1919 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes post-World War I congressional candidate qualification standards. The main cartoon mocks the notion that returning soldiers would establish a meritocratic system to replace corrupt politicians ("four-flushers"). The central scene shows an examination where a candidate—described as a product of "bad system of doing national business"—answers absurdly revealing questions: he can't make a living elsewhere, makes "loud noise," thinks in "billions of other people's money," and has good "intentions." Despite obvious unfitness, he appears acceptable for Congress, suggesting the new system is equally corrupt. The lower cartoon ridicules wives' financial dependence and materialistic expectations. The "Tombstone Epitaph" section appears to be an obituary template for a public figure, listing wartime service credits and patriotic contributions—likely mocking how such accomplishments are commemorated. Overall: post-war idealism about reformed politics is cynically undercut; nothing actually changes in how unqualified people enter office.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
378 Examination HE boys having all things heing come back from front, and a new order of rout to he established, in which all the four-flushers would be removed, common sense the order of the day, graft abolished and only re- sults for the benefit of the whe! ple counted, it beeame ndidates for political offices. neces: examine ¢ undidate was obliged to an- nd as it could readily As every swer truthful le demonstrated whether or was telling the troth Gf he wasn’t he not he was put up against a wall and shot) there was no lost motion One the old inclined and day a. stranger living under system, who was 1 who knew nothing about the new order of things, applied to what he thought was the machine for election to Congress. As seon a he got in he realized that he no retreat a mistake, but there A stern-le was king dough! stood over him with un “Tell the Mow truth or TM your ce “You w Congress. t make a living do- ing anything else.” “What kind of “ Poor.” * Bee lawyer are you?” Shade; 1T MAKES ME ALL THE DEK TO THINK 1 AM PARTLY RESPON FOR HIM. Eowano * MOTHER “No, YOU MUST ASK HIM AND YOURSELF Now “Are you qualified for the job?" “Tecan make a loud noise mouth.” with my Know anything?" “Not much.” “Do you think in billions of other people’s money when on your icet?” Always.” “Intentions go “Yes.” “Then what's the matter with you?” “Oh, T reckon Iam just the product of a bad system of doing national busi- ness, LACK: your serves? Wuette: Oh, 1 never protest as long she doesn’t go over two hundred and ty a month! But do you think you give wife all the credit she de- DEAK, T NEED A HUNDRED DOLLARS, Is YOUR Tint WILL YOU ASK PATHE FO IP?” YOULL HAVE A HUSBAND SOME DAY, To PRACTICN.” Tombstone Epitaph of the Future Wastixetos Jerveesox Joxes July 4. 1874—January 10, First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fi Liberty Loans. War Savings Stamps—Maxir seriher. $ Life membe Ke Fund Subseriptior Ww hundred per cent. Seroggins County Memorial — 0 thousand dollars, Field Secretary Y. months. Chairman County Defense Council Captain Home Guards, 1917-18. One son in Amer Expeditionary Force. One daughter in Red Cross work. Prompt » make ade Conservation RIP. County Food League. Member