Judge — November 14, 1885 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "How the Elections Were Carried" This 1885 *Judge* cartoon satirizes vote-buying and electoral corruption. A small figure labeled "For Governor: David Hill" holds a ballot box shaped like his own head, while rough-looking men (likely representing party operatives or immigrant voters) crowd outside Boss Tweed's Restaurant. The caption contrasts two election philosophies: a "Ballot Box" asks "Well, old feller, how'd you like the election?" while a "Colored Tramp" responds that living "like a lord" was better than voting—implying voters were bribed with money or favors rather than voting on principle. The cartoon mocks machine politics and suggests elections were "carried" through corruption and bribery rather than legitimate democratic process.