Judge — September 22, 1894 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts a figure in Roman dress wielding a sword, labeled "THE FINISHING STROKE" to reference Julius Caesar's assassination. The scattered documents at his feet appear to be bills or legislation. The caption quotes Grover Cleveland condemning "outrageous discriminations and violations of principles," then adds a twist on Shakespeare's "Et tu, Brute?"—changing it to "Et tu, Grover!" The satire appears to criticize Cleveland (or someone Cleveland is addressing) for actions perceived as destroying democratic principles, comparing them to Caesar's assassination of the Republic. The cartoon suggests that certain political decisions represent a fatal blow to democracy itself. Without the specific date, the exact legislative controversy referenced remains unclear, though it likely concerns a controversial Cleveland-era policy.