Judge, 1893-10-07 · page 1 of 16
Judge — October 7, 1893 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This political cartoon satirizes President Grover Cleveland's choice of Thomas B. Van Alen as U.S. Ambassador to Italy. The caption mockingly notes Van Alen is "quite English, you know"—suggesting he's overly Anglicized and unsuitable for the role. The cartoon depicts Van Alen (center, in striped trousers) being escorted by two formally-dressed figures. The left figure holds a scroll labeled "50,000 FRANCS FOR THE FAIR" (likely referencing a financial contribution), implying the ambassador position was purchased rather than earned through merit. The satire attacks both Van Alen's credentials and the patronage system that allowed wealthy donors to secure diplomatic posts, a common practice criticized during the Gilded Age.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
25 NO.625 OCTOBER 7 1893 PRICE 10 CENTS Emrenee a1 tae Pear Orrice at Mew Yoo a6 Stowne Case Marten Conrment 1093 ey THE JuDce PusLiemne Co THLE Resrrente a8 4 Tanne Mane CLEVELAND'S GROTESQUE NOMINEE FOR AMBASSADOR TO ITALY. “He's so English; quite English, you know.” Ir. J. J. Van Alen of England and Newy is chosen by Mr. Cleveland to pe first American ambassador to Italy. Mr. Van Alen believes, to use his own isno om place for ladies and Keatlemen | to live ia.* Van Alen, the gentlema: yho paid his fifty thousand dollars to represent the American nation, has got cash there is no doubt. He comes to Tewpor fo a sor time in the summer. The rest of the ume he lives in Er Hie He speaks with what he is pleased to consider an English accent. It is a weird, bastard cockney which fills Regimen » with pronder. for ladies and gentlemen ry live in, This conviction he ex; frequen ty eum = aes every et share the conviction that this country is u=8t tor ladies and gentlemen. If Abraham Lincoln could meet Von Ale Alen in the fesh, his inclination mama be tol it Van ‘Alen ‘up by the soat-collar and duck him in a muddy poad as a graceful compliment to the stare and stripes."—New Verh World (Democratic), Sept. 21, 1333. comicbooks.com