Judge — November 3, 1883 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon titled "Paying Tribute to Hatton," depicting what appears to be a rural postmaster successfully lobbying or "canvassing" (collecting contributions) for support of an "Assistant Postmaster's Party" publication. The cartoon criticizes the practice of using public office-holders to fundraise for partisan political publications—essentially coercing contributions from subordinate federal employees for political purposes. The central figure appears to be the postmaster pressuring various rural workers or assistants into "paying tribute" (contributing money). The satire targets the corrupt patronage system where federal positions like postmaster were used for political gain, with subordinates expected to support party organs financially. The title's reference to "Hatton" likely indicates a specific postmaster being lampooned, though without additional context I cannot confirm his identity. The cartoon mocks this abuse of bureaucratic hierarchy for party fundraising.