Judge — October 1, 1892 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes **Tammany Hall**, New York's infamous Democratic political machine. The caption references "Ringmaster Croker"—likely **Richard Croker**, Tammany's leader—who is depicted as a circus ringmaster "tammanyizing" (corrupting) what appears to be a donkey or similar animal. The satire suggests Tammany is repainting or rebranding something (possibly a political candidate or the organization itself) with "Tammany stripes," removing "mugwump whitewash" (cosmetic reformist veneer). The circus metaphor criticizes Tammany as theatrical and deceptive. The cartoon mocks the machine's ability to strip away reform pretenses and reassert its characteristic corruption and partisan control. This reflects late 19th-century reformist criticism of Tammany Hall's notorious patronage system and political manipulation.