Judge — August 30, 1890 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "That Wicked Little Farmer Boy" — Judge, August 30, 1890 This political cartoon depicts an elephant (the Republican Party symbol) being manipulated by a small farmer figure on the left. The elephant, wearing what appears to be formal dress and a Capitol dome visible in the background, is being controlled like a puppet or toy. The title suggests criticism of agricultural or rural political influence—possibly referencing farmers' growing political power during the 1880s-90s, a period of agrarian discontent. The "wicked little farmer boy" likely represents populist or farming-class movements challenging Republican establishment control. The satire appears to mock either the unexpected influence of farm-based politics on national government, or conversely, warns of dangerous rural manipulation of traditional power structures. Without more specific context about 1890 agricultural politics, the exact target remains somewhat unclear.