Judge — August 7, 1886 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Judge Magazine, August 7, 1886 This cartoon satirizes the end of the Congressional baseball season. The title "THE END OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BASE BALL SEASON" indicates Congress members played baseball as recreation. The image shows a large figure (likely representing Congress or a specific congressman) wearing a "Protection Club" uniform, wielding a baseball bat like a weapon or club. He appears aggressive or exhausted. A smaller figure labeled "BARGAINER" cowers nearby, with "Free Trade Protection" signage visible. The accompanying quote—"Or, that was only an exhibition game you know. We never meant to score"—suggests Congress's baseball games were merely performative displays with no real competitive intent or results. The satire likely mocks Congressional inaction or empty political posturing regarding tariff and trade policy, using the baseball metaphor to criticize their ineffectiveness.