Life, 1919-09-04 · page 16 of 48
Life — September 4, 1919 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes Boston's obsession with Irish independence activism. The "News from Boston" column reports absurd civic events where Boston officials constantly demand Irish freedom—whether dedicating a ferry, welcoming a Filipino business delegate, or opening the Common to sleepers. The joke: Irish freedom becomes a reflexive, hollow political platitude disconnected from actual governance or relevance. The cartoons mock related themes: One shows an ostrich-like figure with a stopped watch, captioned about eating magnets for breakfast—likely mocking absent-minded distraction. The second depicts a woman suggesting a new car given postal rates dropping to two cents, satirizing consumer distraction from serious matters. The satire suggests Boston's political class uses Irish freedom as convenient rhetoric while ignoring practical concerns, and that ordinary citizens drift from topic to topic without genuine engagement.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
*LIFE® News from Boston ‘ON, Feb, 22.—In the names of Washington, Lin- coln and Mr. George Moore, freedom for Ireland was demanded here to-day, A letter was read from Mr. Moore upon the beauty of Irish women. Bostox, May 18—Removal of the grandstands on the Common used during the parade on April 19 was to-day begun. Boston, May —Construction has begun of the x stands on the Common which will be used during the Memorial Day demonstration demanding Irish freedom, Bostox, May jo.—As part of to-day’s demonstration, resolutions were passed denouncing Gen, Gage’s treatment of Boston schoolboys, and demanding Irish freedom. Boston, June 12.—The aldermen to-day officially received the Hon. Filipo Brunofrato, ex-president of the province of Stogio, Luzon, and president of the Manila Fumible Hemp Company, who has arrived here in the interests of his country’s commerce. Congressman Donovan, in wel coming the distinguished guest, arply criticized those who raise questions of race when no such discussion is necessary. He closed with an eloquent appeal for Irish freedom Boston, Au; —Because of the heat, the Common was to-night thrown open to all taxpayers and others who might wish to sleep on the grass. Alderman Shea, in pro- aiming the privilege, denied the infamous charge that he had failed, at a meeting of the aldermen, to vote for resolutions denouncing England's obvious intention of se ing Greenland and reducing the Eskimos to the condition of the Irish, These resolutions, he said, were attached to wee oll “WANG IT! MY WATCH HAS STOPPED, 1 OUGHT TO ITAVE VN BETTER THAN TO FAT THOSE, MAGNETS POR RREAK= Sack Bay and it was this work, and not the condemnation of a per fidious people, to which he was, and would remain, un bribably opposed. Bostox, Aug. 12—The new municipal ferry to west Boston, which is in financial difficulties, to-day made its first trip. During the passage Ferry Commissioner Halloran delivered an address of congratulation to the city upon its ownership of this expensive property. He demanded freedom for Ireland, and pointed out that in providing funds for the Irish government, Ulster will enjoy a privilege of which no other political group car or will deprive her. Bosto, Sept. 4.—Cyril John Lionel Ponsonby Decourcey second son of the Duke of Eastminsterbury (pronounced Emsbury), passed through Boston to-day en route from Liverpool (pronounced Liverpool) to Washington. Sev- eral thousand citizens, surrounding his hotel, demanded an interview and Irish freedom, but Lord Potteringer (pre- nounced Potter—courtesy title of the Duke's second son), Mrs. Liteweight: WeNey, vos't vou THINK we can “is@uised as a Bostonian, walked through the crowd and AFFORD A NEW CAR, NOW THAT THE POSTAL RATE IAS ed his escape. COME DOWN TO TWO CEN HLL. D. comicbooks.coniiy