Judge — November 15, 1890 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon from *Judge* magazine titled "Autumn Athletic Scene." The caption reads: "Democratic Boss—'Give it to him,'"—suggesting a Democratic party leader urging violence or aggressive action. The image depicts a crowd of well-dressed men in top hats surrounding what appears to be a physical altercation or assault in progress. The "Democratic Boss" figure (likely representing party leadership) is exhorting others to participate in or escalate the violence. The cartoon satirizes Democratic party politics as thuggish and mob-driven, with leadership encouraging brutality. The "autumn athletic scene" framing treats political violence as sport—mocking both the violence itself and the casual acceptance of it within party structures. This reflects late 19th/early 20th-century critiques of urban machine politics and party corruption.