Judge — September 15, 1888 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon satirizes President Cleveland's attempt to conceal something significant, as indicated by the caption "Cleveland's little trick to hide a Great [Issue]—But it is a 'bren[t]...'" (text cut off). The image depicts Cleveland surrounded by various working-class and immigrant figures—identifiable by their period dress, hats, and caricatured features typical of 1880s-90s satirical art. The group appears to be confronting or questioning him, while one seated figure in the foreground gestures emotionally. The satire suggests Cleveland was trying to avoid addressing a major political issue affecting ordinary citizens—likely labor unrest, immigration policy, or economic hardship. The "trick" referenced appears to be his evasion of public pressure, making him the target of ridicule for avoiding accountability to the people demanding his attention.