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

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon satirizes Prohibition's repeal. The large vessel labeled "THE REPEAL" is depicted as a steam engine or locomotive operated by the U.S. Senate, with a figure stoking its fire. On the left, various caricatured figures (appearing to represent different political or social groups, including those with exaggerated features suggesting ethnic stereotypes common to this era) gather around discussing the repeal while the "fire burns"—meaning while momentum for repeal is strong. The title "WALK WHILE THE FIRE BURNS!" suggests groups should act quickly to capitalize on this political moment. The cartoon appears critical of Prohibition's repeal, using the locomotive metaphor to show how the Senate is driving the repeal forward. The caricatures and their apparent distress suggest the cartoonist viewed this outcome negatively.