Judge — September 5, 1885 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a figure (appearing to represent judicial authority or "The Judge") presiding over what looks like an electrical execution device or torture apparatus surrounded by babies or cherubs. The image uses dark humor to critique the justice system's inhumane methods. The elaborate mechanical equipment with dials and controls suggests either capital punishment technology (likely referencing electric chair executions) or medical experimentation. The presence of innocent-looking infants positioned around this machinery creates grotesque irony—implying the legal system harms the vulnerable rather than protects them. The title sarcastically frames this as "contribution to the cause of humanity," mocking what the artist views as judicial cruelty or injustice. The cartoon likely critiques contemporary execution methods or harsh legal practices of Judge magazine's era.