Judge, 1895-04-27 · page 4 of 16
Judge — April 27, 1895 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Judge Magazine Satire Analysis This page satirizes early women's suffrage and female political participation. The main dialogue between Mrs. Smythe and Mrs. Dennison mocks women voters as superficial and easily swayed by irrelevant factors. Mrs. Dennison explicitly tells Mrs. Smythe to vote based on a candidate's personal appearance, social graces, and carriage rather than political principles—then contradicts herself by insisting Mrs. Smythe think independently. The joke exposes the hypocrisy: women are portrayed as intellectually unfit for voting because they care only about fashion, dining etiquette, and a politician's handsome appearance. The surrounding cartoons reinforce domestic themes: "Diplomacy" jokes about manipulating a cook; the bicycle scene depicts women's leisure activities. The satire suggests that newly enfranchised women lack serious political judgment and will undermine democratic processes through vanity and emotional reasoning.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
268 WHEN WOMEN CAST A VOTE. Mrs, Smythe —* Whom do you vote for?" Mrs. Dennison— “Whom? How can you ask?” Mrs. Smythe —" They say Banks is the best man for the place.” Mrs. Dennison —* You must use your own judgment, my dear. Don’t be influenced. Banks! Have you met him socially 2” Mrs. Smythe — Mrs. Dennison—"1 have, At a reception. An evening reception, and he didn’t have on a dress-suit.” Mrs. Smythe (shocked) —" Really Mrs, Dennison —" And he wore a colored tie. Not a loud one, but colored. He SAaye WTF a a good meal.” has one of those scraggy chin-beards, like a farmer, I believe he was brought up in the country. Mrs. Smythe — Mrs, Dennison — She's a frump, two years ago; exactly two years, | knew by the cut. They ate lettuce- A LOITEKY TICKET. “i | | \ Most And his wife.” style about her?” frump! Her dress was made salad with a knife and fork, and didn’t seem to like terrapin; I presume they had never eaten it. They're really abominable. Vote for him? Nothing would induce me to! Mrs. Smythe (weakly) — * But — er — I've heard that Hanks — his political principles, you know, are not exactly” — Mrs. Dennison —"Non- sense. You haven't seen him. He's an eleyant-looking man; handsome! He's that style — drooping mustache, aquiline nose and lovely eyes—that you can't resist. He is perfectly distingud, Mave you seen his carriage 2” Mrs. Smythe —" The one | y you not blay, Ikey? Dot is a fine shot. DIPLOMACY. Younc 1vstanp—"' Have you discharged the cook yet?” Youne wire — "* No, dear; wait until she’s finished her dinner. People are always more willing to grant favors after First nIcyctist- SECOND MICYCLIY Fixst uicycuist IN THE NEAR FU 3 “Are you coming to our bicycle-tea this afternoon ?” *I don't know ; what's on ?” Oh, there ‘Il be club-swinging, heavy. with the coat-of-arms "- — Mrs. Dennison —“1n green and gold. His coach- man’s livery is perfect, and that little tiger with the yel- low-topped boots is too cun- ning. You haven't seen him on horseback ?” Mrs. Smythe (prepared to capitulate)—" No.” Mrs. Dennison—" There itis! And you are thinking of voting against him. Why, you never saw anything like him on a horse ; he is perfect- ly imposing ; fascinating ! Fancy Banks beside Aim. Why, it’s ridiculous. Don't be controlled by anything but your own convictions. Do be firm. Don’t ¢hénk of throwing your weight with the Banks faction. Mrs. Smythe (apologet- ically) —You see, I didn’t really know much about them, I'm so glad you've told me!" RSIMA A. OFFER. weight lifting, boy contortionist, lady jig-dancers, free punch and cigars, and a finish fight between the Black Cuckoo and the Irish Mixer. Nothing special, you know, but drop ‘round any way.” ‘Ach ! dose palls, dey look so peesniss-like, it preaks ming heart do douch dem.” comicbooks.com