Judge, 1890-04-26 · page 16 of 16
Judge — April 26, 1890 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical Judge page critiques New York Police Department corruption through multiple vignettes. The cartoons depict: 1. **Police raids for show**: Officers are instructed to "raid something" because newspapers are discussing them—suggesting staged raids for public relations rather than genuine law enforcement. 2. **Extortion/blackmail**: A police captain knows a citizen's stolen watch location and demands fifty dollars for its "recovery"—implying police involvement in theft or cooperation with criminals. 3. **Bribery and fixed bail**: An arrested man is assured he'll be released "on straw bail" (worthless bail)—satirizing a corrupt system where criminals can purchase quick release. 4. **Institutional corruption**: The title "The Police of New York: Why it should be investigated" frames these as systemic problems requiring official inquiry. The page attacks police involvement in crime, extortion schemes, and a rigged judicial system where money determines outcomes rather than justice.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
uae: Pouics cartam—" Boys, you must raid something. The papers are talking about us.” FLors Potice cartain—"'I know where your watch is, and fifty dollars will recover-it.° Pouiceman—"1 must arrest you, Jim,-but you will be out to-morrow on straw bail.” THE POLICE OF NEW YORK. Why it should be investigated. comicbooks.com