Judge, 1888-06-30 · page 16 of 16
Judge — June 30, 1888 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This political cartoon depicts a medical metaphor for wealth redistribution. The "American Workingman" (shown at bottom, appearing robust) is being asked by "Tax Doctors" to donate blood to save a dying patient (likely representing the wealthy or struggling industries at top). The satire critiques Progressive-era redistribution proposals: doctors warn that giving blood will weaken the workingman and might fail anyway, killing him. The workingman wisely refuses, citing self-preservation. The cartoon argues against taxing workers to support the wealthy or failing businesses, framing such policies as dangerous to the working class's own survival. This reflects *Judge* magazine's conservative stance against wealth redistribution and labor-friendly taxation during the early 20th century.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
E ie) o n x ° fo) 2 2 E ie) cs) THE TRANSFUSION OF BLOOD—A PROPOSED DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT. Tax Docrons (to American Workingman)—“ It may save the patient, but it is bound to weaken you, and if the experiment is a failure you are a dead man.” Asmnroan Worxniaman—“ Then, gentlemen, I won't try it. Self-preservation is the first law of Nature!”