Judge — June 19, 1886 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes congressional debate, depicting caricatured politicians as monkeys or ape-like figures around a large pot labeled "MERCURY." The text references "A QUESTION IN CONGRESS" and mentions it being "OF INTEREST TO OUR STATESMEN." The imagery suggests the cartoon mocks politicians as behaving like squabbling primates, likely debating over mercury—possibly relating to currency, medicine, or industrial policy from the late 19th/early 20th century. The dehumanizing animal caricatures were a common satirical device in Judge magazine to criticize political figures as base, irrational, or self-interested. Without visible dates or clearer text, the specific congressional debate remains unclear, but the overall message condemns politicians as intellectually undignified.