Life, 1926-07-15 · page 6 of 37
Life — July 15, 1926 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains political satire from 1926 mocking Senate debate. "Our National Dumb Show (With Words)" presents senators discussing an "important measure" where two Irish senators named Pat and Mike allegedly yielded the floor to "two darkies"—Mose and Rastus. The humor relies on racist stereotypes and ethnic mockery typical of 1920s satirical magazines. "The Real Corruption" mocks Aunt Martha's use of sailor slang, suggesting social hypocrisy about "shocking language." "More Foolish Questions of 1926" lists absurd domestic inquiries about dating, church attendance, and oil stocks—satirizing contemporary social concerns and gossip. The cartoons critique Senate ineffectiveness and contemporary middle-class preoccupations, using now-offensive racial and ethnic caricatures standard to period publications.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life Our National Dumb Show (With Words) Scene: The Senate of the United States. The Sen. ators are discussing an important measure before taking the final vote. IRST SENATOR: That reminds me of a story— econD Senator: Will the Senator yield? First Senator: But I haven't told the story. Seconn ator: We've probably heard it anyway, Tuirp Senator: That reminds me of a story. Finst Senator: Mr. President, I believe I have the floor. Seconp Senator: I repeat, will the Senator yicld? Titrp Senator: It seems there were two Irishmen, named— Fourtu Senator: I know I've heard that one. Cuorvs or Senators: Two Irishmen named Pat and Mike! Trp Senator: No, that's not the one. Finst Senator: If I may make bold to intrude, I have the floor. (Hurriedly.) It seems there were two dark c uorvus or Senators: Two darkies, Mose and Rastus! : Will the gentleman yield? ator: With pleasure, after I— Tiuiep ator: So Pat Begorra, — Cior y SeNATorS: Question! Question! (The vote is taken and another law is passed.) First Senator: Well, Mose says to Rastus— John C. Emery. THE REAL CORRUPTION Aunt Martha (shopping for a parrot): Now can you ASSURE ME SN’T GIVEN TO THE USE OF SHOCKING ‘ ? WHERE pip you Get 1T? Proprietor: FROM A SAILOR, MA’AM, BUT— Aunt Martha: out, THAT’S ALL RIGHT—JUST 80 YOU DIDN’T GET IT FROM ONE OF THOSE FLAPPERS. More Foolish Questions of 1926 HAS sour boy a cut-down flivver? Does she pet? Did he ask you for a kiss? Does she go to church regularly? Have you plenty of room in your apartment? Do you live close in to the ei When do you suppose Jack Donacy will fight again? Is there a taxi anywhere in sight? Did the jury find her guilty? Is your daughter out with some young fellow every night in the week? Do you own any oil stock? Has your daughter an ambition for the movies? Marion E. Burns. HIS is the time of year when learned, impartial, highly esteemed, just, noble, upright and fearless judges decide whether they had better postpone de- cisions in certain cases until after the election. KEEP IT UNDER YOUR HAT comicbooks.com