Judge — March 24, 1894 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "The United States Stock Exchange" This 1894 *Judge* cartoon satirizes U.S. senators manipulating tariff legislation for stock market speculation rather than genuine policy-making. The scene depicts the stock exchange as a gambling den, with senators as speculators profiting from market volatility. The machine labeled "U.S. SENATE" dispenses stock quotations while senators gamble around it. The caption criticizes how tariff bills—ostensibly serious trade policy—are treated as mere gambling instruments. Signs reference sugar tariffs and a "New Design for U.S. Capitol," mocking the exchange-like behavior of legislative proceedings. The cartoon portrays senators as corrupt operators prioritizing personal financial gain over their legislative responsibilities, suggesting Congress had become indistinguishable from a casino.