Life, 1919-08-14 · page 27 of 44
Life — August 14, 1919 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes early 1920s American politics, particularly Democratic Party dysfunction and Prohibition-era cultural shifts. **Top Cartoon:** "Old King Cole" reimagines the nursery rhyme as a disillusioned Democrat. The gloomy figure represents the Democratic Party itself, which had lost electoral appeal. The text mocks a politician's empty patriotic rhetoric about the Monroe Doctrine while offering no real vision—he can't even articulate why he should run for office. **Middle Section:** The author recounts attempting to interview various political figures (a "Favorite Son," likely a presidential aspirant). One refuses to discuss politics in darkness—a joke about the party's lack of clarity or vision. **Reference to Burleson:** Albert Burleson was Postmaster General under Wilson; the text sarcastically concludes he won't be the next president (obvious political commentary). **Bottom Right Cartoon:** "Young Ulysses and the Summer Sirens" likely references Prohibition's social impact, with the title invoking Homer's *Odyssey*—suggesting young men are being lured by temptations in the post-Prohibition landscape. The overall theme: Democratic Party confusion and cultural upheaval in the early 1920s.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Old King Cole is a gloomy old soul, All the joy of his life s palled. He called for his pipe and he called for his bowl, And he called “Never another Democrat as long the Stars and Stripes float over my speeches on the Monroe Doctrine. Give me, rather, a soldier-patriot or a fighting politician like—" He paused to adjust his collar. “Of course, senator,” | agreed. “ But your own chance “Ah,” he retorted. “If I run, elected.” IL shall certainly be I cannot tell you how flattered [ was at the Favorite Son's suggestion that I call upon him “Will you be kind enough, sir,” your political convictions?” He immediately extinguished the lights, and we sat for some time in total darkness and utter silence. Then he remarked: “ Sh-h-h!” “Thank you so much,” I replied. tion, what of that?” 1 requested, “to state “And the next elec- His answer was scarcely less illuminating than before. I cannot tell you—no, I was unable to reach ex-Presi- dent Taft. Wherefore we may safely conclude that Mr. Burleson will not be our next executive. and called—and called! What’s come over dear old Smith- Fist WRITER kins? His stories don't seem to sell as of yore OND Waitex gets two-seventy-five per cent. ideas. Since the dawn of Prohibition he only YOUNG ULYSSES AND THE SUMMER SIRENS comicbooks.com