Judge — July 8, 1893 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Judge Magazine, July 8, 1893 **"Only Hoke's Fun"** This political cartoon satirizes someone referred to as "Hoke Smith" (likely Secretary of the Interior under President Cleveland). The caption shows Smith boasting: "I've given the old man a good shaking up. Great Scott! how scared he is." The central figure—depicted as a grotesque, wild-haired man—is literally jumping in the air after stepping on what appears to be a firecracker labeled "HOKE'S ON" (a pun on his name). Two smaller figures flank him, appearing to be other political figures observing the chaos. The cartoon mocks Smith's self-importance, suggesting his actions cause more commotion than actual impact, and ridicules him for boasting about intimidating President Cleveland ("the old man").