Judge — July 5, 1884 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon satirizes Chicago political power, specifically **J.K. Kelly's presidential ambitions**. The large bearded figure represents a Chicago political boss—likely a Tammany Hall-style machine politician—who literally dominates the cityscape beneath his feet. A smaller man on his shoulder holds a sign reading "FOR PRESIDENT / J.K. KELLY / PERSONALT GRADY," suggesting Kelly's candidacy is being promoted by this political machine. The caption "Still the Boss" implies the real power lies with the larger figure controlling politics from behind the scenes, not with Kelly himself. The cartoon critiques machine politics and suggests Kelly's presidential aspirations are merely a puppet show orchestrated by entrenched Chicago political interests. The tiny cityscape underfoot emphasizes how thoroughly this boss controls the city.