Judge — May 27, 1893 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Judge Magazine Cartoon (May 27, 1893) This political cartoon satirizes President Grover Cleveland's restriction on White House access. The sign reads "NO ADMITTANCE TO OFFICE SEEKERS," depicting various political figures as unwanted animals—snakes, tigers, and other creatures—clustered outside the office door, literally "NOT WELCOME." The caption quotes Cleveland's May 8, 1893 proclamation declining public duty interviews with office-seekers after his inauguration. The cartoon mocks this policy as inhospitable, portraying political appointees and favor-seekers as pests that the president has barred from entry. This reflects the tension between patronage politics (widespread job-seeking for government positions) and Cleveland's efforts to reform civil service during his second term.