Judge — July 17, 1886 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts an imagined courtroom or judicial scene where figures in striped prison uniforms (suggesting convicted criminals) appear before a judge. The composition contrasts wealthy or powerful men in formal dress with imprisoned figures, suggesting ironic commentary on selective justice—the cartoon's title implies that seeing wealthy or prominent people actually imprisoned is something readers should never realistically expect. The various vignettes in the upper portion appear to show different scenarios of corruption or misconduct. Without clearer identification of specific labeled figures, the general point seems to be critiquing the perception that America's legal system protects the powerful from consequences while ordinary citizens face imprisonment.