Life, 1925-07-16 · page 12 of 40
Life — July 16, 1925 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The illustration depicts a formal procession featuring well-dressed officials on horseback, labeled "His Excellency, the Governor, and his staff come to town." The caption expresses nostalgia: "Those were the dear old days when men were governors, and horsemanship went hand in hand with statesmanship." This is satirical commentary on contemporary governance (likely early 1900s). The cartoon mocks current politicians by contrasting them with an idealized past where leaders were skilled horsemen and "statesmen"—implying modern politicians lack both equestrian ability and genuine statesmanship. The satire suggests contemporary governance has declined in quality and dignity compared to an earlier era, though the "gay nineties" reference suggests this nostalgia may itself be somewhat ironic.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE GAY NINETIES HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR, AND HIS STAFF COME TO TOWN. THOSE WERE THE DEAR OLD DAYS WHEN men WERE GOVERNORS, AND HORSEMANSHIP WENT HAND IN HAND WITH STATESMANSHIP, Nes Peps Diary Awake betimes, reading in the public prints, some- 9th what shamed to pass up the heralding of a great cut in our taxation in favor of the latest divorce scandal. Small wonder that our more serious journalists despair of a public which has in it so many like unto myself, but Lord! the published pratings of our states- men have come to nought so often that I cannot concern myself with them until their fulfillment....Fanny Bartle, whom I have not seen in years, to luncheon with me, refus- ing both a cigarette and cocktayle with the remark, I belong to the dark ages—I neither smoke nor drink, and I have long hair and a gold wedding ring. But during the performance of “Louis the 14th,” which we saw in the afternoon, she did suddenly confide in a whisper, If I had my life to live over again, I should go in for danc- July ing!. home carly, clamoring for me to set him a question in the game we play, so I did ask him what he deemed the most futile thing in the world, and after some reflection, he quoth, Trying to save the rubber at bridge. But mine own answer would have been, Advising a woman to give up a suitor whom she likes. July The entire day at Edith Banning’s, our husbands 10th having gone to golf, and we did put in our time with gossip and chitchat, one of the pleasantest diversions I know. E. did tell me of a woman of our acquaintance who is rumored to consume a pint of whisky every morning upon rising, and how E.'s maid, hearing the story minus names, had exclaimed, O Madame, surely it (Continued on page 34) comicbooks.com