Judge — June 9, 1894 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1894 *Judge* cartoon satirizes Governor Roswell Flower of New York, depicting him as a puppet controlled by someone else—likely a political boss or machine politician. The caption "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau" references the biblical story of Jacob deceiving his father Isaac by impersonating his brother Esau, suggesting Flower is being manipulated while appearing to act independently. The sign shows reform bills being "vetoed," implying Flower blocks progressive legislation despite his public persona. The cartoon criticizes him as merely a figurehead for hidden political powers rather than a genuine leader. This reflects broader 1890s concerns about political corruption and machine control in New York politics.