Judge — March 16, 1895 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon satirizes Congress's inaction regarding economic or social issues. The central figure is a woman labeled "Capital" (visible on her clothing), depicted as Sleeping Beauty—passive, reclining, and dependent on rescue. The scene shows various figures around her: a wealthy businessman with a fishing net (appearing to exploit the situation), impoverished workers at the bottom, and a concerned observer on the left. The caption asks "Will Congress awaken her?" The satire criticizes Congress for failing to protect Capital/the economy from predatory exploitation or for neglecting pressing economic problems affecting working people. The "Sleeping Beauty" metaphor suggests Capital lies dormant or undefended while politicians remain passive, unable or unwilling to address the nation's economic troubles.