Life, 1919-09-11 · page 21 of 48
Life — September 11, 1919 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **William Jennings Bryan** and related political figures through spiritualism and debate mockery. The main cartoon "Triangulation" depicts a medium claiming to contact Bryan's "astral body" wandering the country without his consent—a jab at Bryan's constant speaking tours and public prominence. The joke is that even his spirit can't escape performing. The section "Their Last Words" parodies famous last statements from political adversaries: Bryan (chautauquaed—exhausted from speeches), W.D. Hirst, a food dealer, Robert Lansing (Secretary of State, criticizing secret treaties), and an Anti-Saloon League representative. The humor mocks these figures' obsessions and legacies. The lower cartoon "Why Doesn't He?" shows the Public as referee between quarreling figures, tired of being caught in their conflicts—likely referencing Bryan's perennial presidential campaigns and divisive political feuds. The satire targets Bryan's relentless public presence, political rivalry, and the era's temperance and foreign policy debates.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
on Pasadena, “but it's W. Bryan on the wire.” “He's still, alive,” mut- tered a charter member of the Anti on Led who had come in te get from John Be hat is, | he- a messag Gough. lieve s¢ “Can't said help it.” Pasadena. “It's his astral body. wandering all over the country without his consent or knowledge. Mr Bryan, tell us what you avn ccm The Public: TRIANGULATION really know about your- seli.” The confession that followed is too moving to repeat. There that the American public will balk at. The fact, how- ever, established that, Madam easily to communicate W with any person now liv- leson. are even 1 some things made. was through Pasadena, itis possile Covonri. Housr: WHY DOESN'T HE? VM TIRED OF REING THE UNDER DOG WHEN You TW AND ECAN LICK THE BOTH OF YOU TOGETHER ing, without his knowing it message just lined up “Tam the astral body of A. S. Bur- know Here's a nthe slate I was in hopes the great dis- covery that T could be made to tell all him) would never be Please let me off about I can’t bear to think of it” Their Last Words BRYAN chautauquaed I came, 1 saw, | I've nothing toadd to what | haven't said. W. D. any complaint, it will be placed Hixrs: In case of on file as usual A Creraix Foon Deaurr: 1 did everybody the best 1 could Konrrt Laysixe: Hope I'm going where there are no sceret treaties, ANTI PERSON AN- And may there be no - Satoon - Leacur moaning at the bar when | put out to sea