Judge — February 18, 1893 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon depicts a scene at "Miss Columbia's School" (Columbia being the personification of America). The caption "May I Come IN?" suggests someone seeking entry or admission. The cartoon appears to use exaggerated caricatures of what seem to be foreign or immigrant figures attempting to enter the schoolhouse, while Columbia (represented by the flag and authority figure) controls access. The crowded, chaotic scene with various figures of different appearances satirizes contemporary anxieties about immigration and who should be admitted to American society. This reflects early 20th-century debates about immigration policy and American identity—specifically, who was deemed acceptable for entry into the nation and its institutions. The "school" metaphor suggests questions about assimilation and American values. Without a clear date visible, the specific political controversy referenced remains uncertain.