Life, 1924-09-25 · page 15 of 37
Life — September 25, 1924 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The cartoon depicts a father explaining "political economy" to his son while they observe people at what appears to be a public gathering or market. The father's caption reads: "Political economy, my son, is—er—well, I suppose it's not buying any more votes than are actually needed." This is a direct satirical jab at political corruption in early 20th-century America. The joke relies on the assumption that vote-buying was a common, accepted practice among politicians—so much so that a father casually explains it to his child as basic economics. The satire criticizes both the prevalence of electoral bribery and the cynical acceptance of such practices as normal business. The humor comes from the father's matter-of-fact explanation of an essentially criminal activity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1 " LIFE « Hokumville S Cinderella drove her Rolls-Royce (she had just finished a Goldone ture) into Hokumville, she saw etched across Main Street a banner th the words “Reunion of Old Plots, 24,” and the cockles of her heart were rmed (as they had been in so many els and nowhere else) at the thought meeting again all her old school- True, she had met many of m in Hollywood during the year, t the censor had driven some of them , and others had become highbrow. Hardly had she passed the work- p of Mr. Atkins, that kindly old in whose inventions, try as he would, ver bro st chapter, the last ree! or ten min- cs of eleven, when she saw the Sear- Young Woman. She noticed at that the Scarlet Young Woman 1s looking exceedingly _ prosperous, d that the touch of pallor which had irked her ever since the old days hen every ambitious actress would go mile for a Camille was absent from r cheeks. “Well, if it isn’t little old Cindy!” ied the Scarlet Young Woma cy met and kissed. “You're loo ast_ as sweet and wholesome and as lows. ht him in a cent until the | much the dear little heroine that it's safe for Grandma to see as ever. What kind of a year did you have, Cindy “Counting books and plays and movies and everything, I've had six hundred and eighty-six husbands—all young and rich and handsome,” replied Cinderella with a blush. “I don't sce how you get away with it,” sighed the Scarlet Young Woman. “You haven't a brain in your head, and you certainly don't know how to wear clothes.” “But I'm pure,” said Cinderella proudly, And then, wishing to spare her friend's feelings, she changed the subject. “What kind of a year have you had? Had to die much?" “Not at all,” answered the Scarlet Young Woman, with satisfaction. “I've been on Broadway for the whole sea- son and all I've had to do at the end of the play was to turn on the phono- “And you weren't punished at all?" cried Cinderella, shocked. “You wouldn't say tha Scarlet Young Woman, heard that phonograph.” By this time they had come to a street-crossing. said the you had RY Baha » WHAT IS POLITICAL ECONOMY?” “POLITICAL ECONOMY, MY SON, IS—ER—WELL, I SUPPOSE IT's NOT BUYING ANY MORE VOTES THAN ARE ACTUALLY NEEDED.” Wifey EDWARD! weller) watcn! (former bungalow YOU FORGOT catcn it! YOUR “Well!” exclaimed Cinderella, “If they haven't gone and taken the left turn entirely awa: “Nobody ever turned to the left in Hokumville, my dear,” said the S. Y. W. “Let's have a drink.” Cinderella drew herself up. forget that I am pure,” she said. But as she watched the S. Y, W. enter the little blind pig that stood on Main Street just before the turn to the right, she reflected that if wicked- ness was going to be punished as it You used to be, she might consider swap- ping a little purity for a phonograph herself, Bertram Bloch. Fur-Bearing Husbands PEGGY: How is your husband be- having? Potty: Oh, badly enough for a new fur coat. F hell really is paved with good in- tentions, there is probably some use for the Eighteenth Amendment after all. comicbooks.com