Judge, 1893-09-23 · page 1 of 16

Judge — September 23, 1893 — page 1: what you’re looking at

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Judge — September 23, 1893 — page 1: Judge, 1893-09-23

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "Don't" This Judge magazine cover (September 23, 1893) satirizes Democratic interference with the tariff issue. The "Buzz Saw" labeled "TARIFF" represents the dangerous machinery of tariff policy. Monkeys—a common period caricature for politicians acting foolishly—are "monkeying with" this dangerous saw, with one figure appearing to represent a Democratic politician marked "DEMOCRAT." The warning sign reads: "WARNING! MONKEYING WITH THE BUZZ SAW IS DANGEROUS!" The cartoon warns against Democratic tampering with tariff legislation, suggesting such interference risks serious economic harm. This reflects 1890s political debates over protective tariffs, where the cartoon's creator views Democratic intervention as recklessly dangerous "monkey business" that could injure the nation's economic machinery.