Judge — September 12, 1896 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Making a Monkey of Bryan" - Judge, September 12, 1896 This cartoon satirizes William Jennings Bryan, the 1896 Democratic presidential candidate, during his famous "Free Silver" campaign. The image shows a man (likely representing a political opponent or the establishment) literally making a monkey of Bryan—depicted as a small figure in the center being manipulated or mocked. The signs visible reference "Free Silver" and "Silver Tunes," alluding to Bryan's populist push for unlimited silver coinage, which his opponents ridiculed as economically reckless. The mountainous backdrop and rural setting suggest the Western mining interests supporting Bryan's platform. Judge magazine, Republican-leaning, used this imagery to mock Bryan as foolish and easily manipulated—a common attack on his candidacy during the 1896 election.