Life, 1925-08-27 · page 12 of 36
Life — August 27, 1925 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The top cartoon shows five women at a country club, labeled "A GROUP OF BASHFUL DEBUTANTES TRYING—OH, SO HARD—TO ELUDE THE HORRID NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPHERS." The main article features Senator T. Cassius Blah, "the Wildcat of Washington," arriving in New York to meet newspaper reporters. The satire mocks his evasive responses about pressing issues—the foreign debt, European disarmament, Japanese-American relations, Bolshevism, and a British Government crisis. Blah exemplifies a politician of "convictions" who claims strong views but refuses to commit publicly, saying he'll act "when the proper moment has arrived." The piece satirizes political evasiveness and non-committal posturing on major issues facing the post-WWI era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
AT THE COUNTRY CLUB A GROUP OF BASHFUL DEBUTANTES TRYING—OH, SO HARD—TO ELUDE THE HORRID NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPHER. A Man of Convictions ENATOR T. CASSIUS BLAH, “the Wildcat of Wash- ington,” upon arriving in New York on the liner Super- cilia, cordially greeted the ship news reporters who crowded to his stateroom. “What do you think of the foreign debt situation?” he was asked. “There is, of course, much to be said on both sides,” replied the Senator firmly and decisively. “Are the European nations rez pliance with the pact?” “That is a matter upon which there is room for two opinions,” was his deliberate assurance. “What is the Japanese attitude toward Ameri “In connection with that, I am reminded of a said Senator Blah, with a merry twinkle in his eyes. “It seems there were two Irishmen.” When the wave of laughter had subsided, he again became grave, and con- cluded: “And that, gentlemen, is a position from which I shall not recede, come what may.” “Do you find Bolshevism a menace to world peace?” “We-ell, yes—and again, no. Further than that I do not care to say.” “Do you consider a crisis to be impending in the British Government?” “I have formulated strong views and will make them public when I consider the proper moment has arrived.” disarming in’ com- At this moment Mrs. Blah entered the room. “Cassius,” she began timidly, I wonder if you would mind if I bobbed my hair when we land. All the women are doing it.” “NEVER!” roared Senator Blah, his face purple with rage, “Have my forty years of teach- ing and example gone for nought? Does it mean nothing to you that you are the mate of the Wildcat of Washington? ‘All the women are doing it! say you! My God, woman, do you want people to think that you have no mind of your own?” Tip Bliss, The Golfer’s Shakespeare “IN a cowslip’s bell I lie.”— The Tempest. “He must needs go that the devil drives."—All’s Well That Ends Well. “I have a kind of alacrity in sinking."—The Merry WV of Windsor. “That was laid on with a trowel."—As You Like It. “He does it with a better grace, but I do it more nat- ural."—Twelfth Night, “T have seen the day through the little hole of discretion.”—Love’s Labour's Lost. “I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word."—The Merchant of Venice. “In my school-days when I had lost one shaft. “I saw a smith stand with his hammer, thus...” John. “O father, what a hell of witchcraft lies In the small orb...."—Ad L H.W. UH. “SISTERS UNDER THE SKIN” comicbooks.com