Life — March 13, 1924 — page 19: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts a ship in stormy seas with lightning bolts striking overhead. Figures labeled "GOP" appear to be aboard the vessel, while other figures are being thrown overboard into the turbulent water below. The caption "Throwing Over the Jonahs" references the biblical story of Jonah, whose presence supposedly brought bad luck and storms to his ship. The satire suggests that Republican (GOP) leadership is jettisoning certain members or policies they blame for political misfortune or electoral failure. "Jonahs" here means scapegoats—people or ideas held responsible for the party's troubles. The cartoon critiques internal GOP conflict during a period of political difficulty, illustrating the party's strategy of discarding unpopular elements to restore fortunes.