Judge — May 12, 1888 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge cartoon satirizes political opportunism and inconsistency. Two men identified as "Dave Hill" and "Charley" are replacing a new "Governor" campaign sign with an older "For President" sign, suggesting a politician's flip-flopping ambitions. The cartoon criticizes how political candidates abandon platforms or positions when they prove unpopular ("didn't draw worth a cent"), reverting to whatever messaging resonates with their base ("popular with the gang"). The crane and storefront setting (including "Cleveland Shades") establish an urban scene. The satire targets the cynical, market-driven nature of political campaigning—where principles matter less than what attracts voters. Without the specific date visible, the exact candidate referenced is unclear, though the Governor/Presidential progression suggests commentary on a real political figure's shifting aspirations.