Judge — March 17, 1883 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of "The Judge" Cartoon, March 17, 1888 **The Main Cartoon: "It Was His Duty and He Did"** The cartoon depicts Governor Cleveland (identifiable by the caption) wielding a club against a large personified head labeled "5¢ FARE." The figure represents resistance to raising streetcar fares in New York City. **The Satire:** The caption—"As a constitutional lawyer I really had to do it"—suggests Cleveland justified an unpopular action (likely enforcing fare increases or related transit policy) on constitutional grounds, even though it was politically damaging. The cartoon criticizes Cleveland for claiming legal obligation when citizens saw only poor governance. The elevated train in the background shows people fleeing the chaos, emphasizing public displeasure. This reflects 1880s municipal transit disputes and tensions between legal justifications and popular opposition to fare hikes.