Judge — June 23, 1883 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes the 1884 Ohio presidential election, described as a "great Ohio Pivotal Race." The image depicts a horse race at the Capitol, where political candidates are jockeys competing for the presidency. The OCR text references "Judge Foraker" and mentions "The Old Stager" and "Democracy" among the competing entries. The cartoon uses horse-racing metaphor to mock the electoral competition, suggesting candidates are essentially racing animals rather than serious statesmen. Key figures appear to be caricatured Ohio politicians, though specific identifications are unclear from the image alone. The Capitol backdrop emphasizes this is about national politics. The satire criticizes the reduction of presidential campaigns to mere sporting spectacle—treating the election as entertainment rather than serious governance. The tone suggests *Judge* magazine viewed the 1884 race cynically, mocking both candidates and voters.