Judge — January 19, 1895 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes railroad corruption in New York state politics. The image depicts a figure (likely representing railroad interests or a corrupt politician) being forced to loosen his grip on the state, represented by the woman labeled "New York." The caption explains that New York's new state constitution now prohibits public officials from accepting railroad passes—a common form of bribery and corruption. The cartoon celebrates this reform as "a good beginning," suggesting that while this is progress, more work remains to clean up government corruption tied to railroad monopolies. The satirical point: railroads had previously controlled politicians through gifts and favors, and this constitutional provision represents the public finally wresting control back from corporate influence.