Judge — January 23, 1897 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1897 Judge cartoon satirizes President William McKinley's cabinet selections. "Miss Columbia" (personification of America) addresses "Carpenter McKinley," referencing his profession before politics. She examines his chosen advisors—depicted as rough, bearded men emerging from "Kinley's Cabinet Shop"—comparing them to timber or lumber. The satire suggests McKinley is constructing his cabinet from inferior or questionable material, implying his selections are crude, unrefined, or poorly chosen. The carpentry metaphor plays on both his background and the idea of hastily "building" an administration. The diverse, rough appearances of the figures emphasize Columbia's skeptical assessment of their quality and suitability for high office.