Life, 1923-04-26 · page 33 of 36
Life — April 26, 1923 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece, attributed to "McC. H.," contrasts past and present congressional service. The speaker laments that his father—a Congressman under Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)—remained so engaged with constituents that he barely left home, even maintaining his law practice. Today's politicians, by contrast, are permanently stationed in Washington, their districts selecting representatives they can "spare permanently." The speaker cannot identify voters by name without assistance and relies on family votes he can actually predict. The satire's point: modern Congress has become a professional, distant institution where representatives lose touch with constituents' actual concerns. The nostalgic contrast suggests that constant congressional session prevents representatives from maintaining the grassroots connection that once defined democratic accountability. This reflects broader Progressive-era anxieties about whether professional politicians genuinely serve their communities or simply occupy office.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Repairing the Fences “Wien my father was a Con- gressman in Benjamin Harrison’s time he carried on his law prac- tice and didn’t even have his per- sonal mail forwarded to Washing- ton. He served in twelve con- eresses but Mother always set his place at the table because she knew he might be dropping in any time. I've been in three congresses and when I got home the other day the baby wanted to know who that man was. People used to elect a Congress- man so as to have somebody to ar- gue with while waiting for the mail te be changed at the post-office. Now they select a fellow the district can spare permanently. “Father was home so much he knew all the voters by their first names and could count the ballots a month before the election. When I go out among the people I have to take the county chairman along to whisper their names to me. The only votes | can count in advance are those in the family and I have sus- picions of my brother-in-law. “In Father’s time they used to have two kinds of sessions of Con- gress, long and short. The idea was that a Congressman should have time to go home and find out what the people thought of him. Now there is only one kind of session—the continuous ; and the members usually know what their constituents think without going home.” Gine Motor Cars are Known Hoo-Dye and the perfection of riding are inseparable, for one cannot be ob- tained without the other. Hoo-Dye is the only shock absorber that absorbs both the shock and the recoil. It graduates its control from the slightest bump at low speed to the heavy road at high speed—laying restraint pro- portionate to the need. This cushioned comfort eliminates road shell shock and permits the more delicate to ride long distances without fatigue. Only the liquid cushion Hoo-Dye can bring this new riding comfort to you. HOO-DYE Shock Absorbers Hydraulic Standard Equipment in America Lincolns Cunninghame Mercers while many thousands have been applied to Caditlace Chenard & Walker Delage Delaunay-Bellevitle Delahaye D. PF. P. Farman G, Irat La Colombe p Minerva Philos Studedakers Kochet Schneider Hudsons z i Buicke nd many other makes, Scap Sl Secquevitte & Hoy nic Wolseley Motors Ltd. THE HOUDAILLE CO. 1418 West Ave., Buffalo, N. Y. Houde Eng. Corp. Mfrs. For your own hei of “How Motor Shocks Affect the System” by R. Kendrick Smith, M.D. Insist on a Conn and you'll learn toplay quickly. For half acen- tury Conn instruments of every and and orchestra have been used and endorsed by the world's greatest artists because are easier to play perfect in tone and tune most reliable in action ~prrfectly balanced, beauti- lly finished. More Conn saxophones are sold than eny other make in the world. The great jazz kings and popular record makers prefer Conns for their exclusive fea- Free Trial; Bay P. rial; Easy Payments. Write for details, mentionin instrument. 7 Conn violins possess wonder- fal tone. C.G.CONN, Ltd. 421 Conn Bldg. The Near East Relief and Bundle Month Wuat to do with your old clothes ceases to be a problem with the ar- rival of Bundle Month in May. All month—and particularly on the 15th, which is Bundle Day—the Near East Relief is going to make it easy for you. Look around now and choose your nearest bundle station. If you have any trouble in locating it, write to the Near East Relief at 151 Fifth Avenue, New York City, and it will direct you. The old clothes are to be shipped overseas to be made into new clothes for thousands of orphaned children who need them. They will take anything, for they have literally nothing. Lire suggests that you make your bundle a big one. It will ae as ee Sy yw eS aie x: © MADISON AVE., 43rd TO 44th STREETS. NEW YORK Tea in the Palm Room Dancing in the Supper Room be a good way to lighten your ward- robe and it may help to ease your conscience a little. Nororrety—the black sheep in the family of Fame. 25 Song Parodies 25¢ Make a hit Bo a parlor entertainer. the crowd. 25 Hes Including comicbooks.com