Judge — July 4, 1885 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes police corruption and incompetence. The central figure—a bloated judge or police official—is literally stuffed with contraband and vices: cigars, liquor bottles, gambling paraphernalia (base ball score), and other illicit goods. Around him, smaller vignettes show police failing their duties: "Politeness Terrified," "Coiness Glorified," "Helping the Helpless" (depicted ironically), and other scenes of malfeasance. The caption mocks "Murray's Revised Edition of Our Perfected Police Rules," suggesting that police reform efforts are hollow theater—rules exist only to line corrupt officials' pockets rather than serve justice. The cartoon criticizes how law enforcement ignored vice crimes while enriching themselves, a common Progressive-era complaint about urban police departments.