Judge — August 21, 1886 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon titled "The Economy of the Spigot and the Bung-Hole" depicts a man in shirtsleeves standing between two cloaked figures, apparently controlling the flow from a large barrel marked "APPROPRIATIONS." The figures on either side appear to represent competing political interests or factions seeking access to government funds. The satire likely critiques post-Civil War fiscal management and corruption—specifically how politicians controlled distribution of appropriated money. The "spigot and bung-hole" metaphor suggests selective, controlled access to public funds. Given the 1866 date, this probably comments on Reconstruction-era spending and debates over federal budget allocation, though the specific political figures are difficult to identify with certainty from the image alone.