Judge — December 10, 1881 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "Philadelphia Imitating New York" (December 10, 1881) This cartoon satirizes Philadelphia's tax office corruption by comparing it to New York's notorious "Boss" Tweed scandal of the 1870s. The image depicts three Philadelphia officials emerging from a "Philadelphia Tax Office" barrel, visibly stuffed with money and documents—mimicking the massive theft Tweed orchestrated in New York. The caption references "Tweed's Ghost," suggesting Philadelphia politicians are copying Tweed's corrupt methods. The ghost figure looming above emphasizes the dark historical parallel. The satire's bite lies in its rhetorical question: "What are they going to do about it?"—implying authorities are powerless to stop such brazen official corruption. Judge magazine used this to shame Philadelphia for replicating New York's shameful recent past.