Judge — October 25, 1890 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1890 *Judge* cartoon satirizes what appears to be a deteriorating political figure or relic from an earlier era. The caption indicates "Judge" is addressing "Father Knickerbocker"—a personification of New York City—criticizing him for maintaining an old, worn-out political figure among his ranks. The figure in the display case resembles a museum artifact or preserved specimen, suggesting obsolescence. The satire targets the persistence of outdated political leadership or corruption remnants in New York governance. "Tweed" likely references the notorious Tammany Hall boss William M. Tweed, though he died in 1878. The cartoon suggests his corrupt legacy or similar corrupting influences still lingered in municipal politics, which the satirist urges removal of to improve the city's reputation.