Judge — February 28, 1891 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes the **Tariff of 1890** (the McKinley Tariff), a major protective trade policy. The pig labeled "U.S. DEBT" represents America's growing national debt, which the cartoon suggests was fueled by protective tariffs. The elderly figure in the background appears to be **Uncle Sam or a personified version of American government**. The caption "I'M IN 'EM BOTH!" suggests the debt is trapped between competing economic interests—likely protectionist Republicans and fiscal conservatives. The barren, desolate landscape emphasizes economic hardship. The cartoon criticizes how tariff policy, intended to protect American industry, instead increased government debt and potentially harmed ordinary citizens economically.