Judge — September 8, 1894 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "It Wanted a Free-Trade Bow-Wow" This 1894 Judge magazine cartoon satirizes President Cleveland's trade policy through a nursery-rhyme format. The central figure appears to be a woman representing either a political opponent or the nation, holding a cat labeled "Gorman Bill" (referring to the Wilson-Gorman Tariff). The cartoon critiques Cleveland for sending Congress the Gorman Bill instead of his preferred Wilson Bill—both concerning tariff/trade policy. The signs reference the "Sugar Trust" and mention Cleveland receiving the Gorman Bill from Congress. The rhyming verse mocks the situation as a child demanding a "free-trade bow-wow" (free trade) but getting a cat instead—suggesting the legislation disappointed those seeking Cleveland's promised trade policies.