Life, 1920-06-17 · page 19 of 45
Life — June 17, 1920 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece depicts a clash between a "Business-man President" and a political operative demanding a government appointment as payment for campaign support. The visitor, described as "well-fed" and unpleasant, represents the corrupt patronage system where political machines expected quid pro quo appointments in exchange for electoral backing. The president refuses, asserting appointments are made "on merit solely" rather than political obligation. When the operative protests that "the people that put you over" demand the position, the president ejects him, threatening to "lose my temper." The satire targets **machine politics and the spoils system**—the widespread practice of rewarding political allies with government jobs. The cartoon endorses the reformist position that merit, not political debt, should determine appointments. This reflects Progressive Era critiques (likely early 1900s) of entrenched party corruption, presenting the president as an anti-corruption hero refusing backroom deals. The secondary jokes about prayer and ants appear to be filler content typical of Life magazine's format.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ny Butler: MA'AM, THE MAN IS HERE TO TUNE THE FIANU. STRANGE! 1 DID NOT SEND FOR HIM.” “ cook's ORDERS, MA'AM.” The Business-man President Receives a Caller TT! President lighted a fresh cigar, leaned back in his chair and regarded his visitor with a smile. am sorry,” he said polit “Dut the place has already filled. The man I have selected has agreed to make the ce in income and take it as a service to the country. The nation will go to the Senate at once.” visitor, a well-fed man past middle life, somewhat over- sed and not pleasant to look at, returned the smile with a hat's too bad for you,” he said. “I suppose you didn't that we have to be consulted about these things. The ntment was promised before election.” Who promised it?” inquired the President mildly. We did; you know who. The people that put you over.” You didn’t ask me about it.” Of course not. You were busy with the campaign, making . and all that. We had to take care of the practical uils ourselves. Our man has been waiting eight years to this post. We have had his influence in three elections. It’s bad for you, but T guess you'll have to switch your man some other job or else make him wait.” The President’s smile had faded. He leaned forward and put his cigar out carefully, and then picked up a paper from the desk. “Tf that is all.” he said evenly, “I must ask you to excuse me. This appointment, like every other one on the diplomatic list, is being made on merit solely, Sorry you and your friends have committed yourselves to somethin: ou can’t do, but that is your looko The visitor moved toward the door, his face purple. Suddenly the President looked up. “And don’t come here again on such an errand,” he said. His smile had returned. “T might lose my temper.” Quite All Right “PECTOR, that is an prayers you have amazingly comprehensive book of There is a prayer for almost every condition of men and institutions, But there is one glaring omission—there is no prayer for politicians.” Tt is em- my dear sir, you have simply overlooked it din the prayer ‘For T ¢ Who Are at Sea” “] FIND." said the ant as she climbed to the top of an apple, “that the world is not as large as is reported.” comicbooks.com