Judge — June 29, 1889 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Brice, Boodle, and Cleveland" This 1889 *Judge* cartoon satirizes the relationship between political corruption and the presidency. The image shows a large, wealthy man (likely a political operative or financier) sitting atop an enormous pile of money bags marked with dollar signs. A smaller figure appears to be Mr. Brice, referenced in the caption as representing "the power of boodle in a political campaign." The caption quotes the *New York World* (June 13, 1889), stating that "Mr. Brice...represents the power of boodle in a political campaign. His success has been that of a money-maker." "Boodle" was period slang for bribery money or political corruption. The cartoon critiques how wealthy financiers like Brice wielded disproportionate influence over politics, particularly regarding President Cleveland's administration.