Judge, 1887-03-12 · page 12 of 24
Judge — March 12, 1887 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Judge magazine cartoon satirizes Democratic party leadership during the Mugwump era (late 1880s). The title references a "Carmen" (likely evoking the opera's seductive temptress) who "has not got off with" her political scheme. The text references "Hill the Toreador"—likely David B. Hill, a prominent New York Democrat—as a "bull-fighter" who will eliminate "Mugwumpism" (the reform movement of Republicans who broke ranks to support Democrats). The assembled military and political figures appear to be celebrating this promised purge. The satire mocks Democratic claims of strength and reform while suggesting internal party conflicts. The theatrical staging (ornate hall, dramatic poses) emphasizes the cartoon's view of Democratic political theater as mere performance rather than genuine reform. The OCR is heavily garbled, making complete certainty difficult, but the core message critiques Democratic party machinations during this period of political realignment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- = fy ty fe) & [e) [o) & fe) 4 n < em} a) em n a ° cs fa = om < iS) 4 < 3) = & a | 9 AL a] t & Of Mugwumpism we will have no more. He'll give the death stroke to the Bull.” Of Democrats most powerful! Czonvs or Dmwoonaric suit-ricnTers.—‘‘ All hail to Hill the Toreador, comicbooks.com