Judge — January 26, 1889 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon titled "Cabinet Maker" depicting a political figure (likely a U.S. President, given the context) standing atop a group of men emerging from coffins or boxes labeled with names. The cartoon suggests the "cabinet maker" is literally assembling a government from the dead or politically defunct. The satire criticizes the selection of cabinet members—implying they are either politically "dead," recycled from previous administrations, or otherwise unsuitable choices. The coffin imagery is deliberately grotesque, suggesting these appointees lack vitality or fresh ideas. The caption's reference to uncertainty about "what kind he should use" reinforces the critique: the cartoon questions whether these selections represent quality governing choices. This reflects broader political skepticism about patronage and cabinet appointments common in Gilded Age American politics.