Judge — January 19, 1895 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes the 1884 Republican presidential nomination race using the Cinderella fairy tale. The figure labeled "Ella" (likely referring to a political candidate or faction) is depicted as Cinderella among her "haughty sisters" — representing rival Republicans competing for the nomination. The caption's reference to a "glass slipper" suggests the nomination itself is the prize that will fit only one candidate. The joke implies that despite being overlooked or underestimated ("Cinderella"), this particular candidate will ultimately succeed in winning the coveted nomination, just as Cinderella unexpectedly wins the prince. The elaborate Gothic setting and ornate details typical of Judge's illustration style enhance the fairy-tale metaphor, making Republican party politics appear as a domestic drama of rivalry and eventual triumph.