Judge — December 15, 1883 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This appears to be a satirical cartoon from *Judge* magazine critiquing telegraph monopoly practices. The main figure on the right—a portly man in striped suit—likely represents a telegraph company executive or politician complicit with monopolies. He recoils in alarm from dock workers and ordinary people on the left, who appear to be protesting or demanding access. The telegraph office boxes visible (marked "Western Union Telegraph" and "U.S. Anti-Monopoly Telegraph Co.") reference the real telegraph monopoly debates of the late 19th century. The cartoon satirizes how wealthy interests resisted competition and public utility reform, showing the disconnect between corporate power and working-class citizens' interests. The caption "What This Congress" (text cut off) suggests criticism of Congress's failure to address monopolistic practices affecting ordinary Americans.