Judge — March 22, 1890 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge cartoon satirizes Congressional leaks and partisan behavior. A crowd of politicians and officials surround scattered documents labeled "Secret," "Washington," and "Confidential," while holding signs demanding investigations. The figures appear to be engaged in chaotic squabbling over classified information rather than conducting serious business. The satire targets how members of Congress use "special correspondents" (journalists) to leak sensitive government documents for partisan advantage—ostensibly to "investigate" rivals but actually to damage political opponents. The cartoon criticizes this practice as prioritizing private spite over the public interest, as suggested by the quoted text at bottom. The train departure in the background suggests the corrupt machinery of government in motion.