Life — September 2, 1926 — page 19: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes governmental immunity or autocratic authority. The central figure appears to be a skeletal "Death" or grim reaper character wearing a crown, labeled "PROHIBITION," operating what looks like a poison distribution mechanism or still. The figure on the right represents a common citizen or subject who has received poisoned liquor, now dead or dying on the ground. The satire critiques Prohibition-era policies: the government (represented as the unchecked "King") distributes or permits poisonous alcohol while claiming immunity from responsibility for resulting deaths. The title mocks the legal doctrine that "the king can do no wrong," suggesting the government faces no accountability for harm caused by its policies, despite citizens dying from contaminated bootleg liquor during Prohibition.