Judge — February 5, 1898 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is the cover of Judge magazine from February 5, 1898. The caricatured face depicts **Tom Platt**, a prominent Republican politician (likely a U.S. Senator from New York during this period). The caption reads "YOUR BOSS TOM PLATT" and "TAKE YOUR CHOICE. THE COMBINATION THAT CAN'T BE BEAT." The satire appears to reference Platt's political dominance and machine politics—suggesting he was the controlling "boss" figure in Republican politics. The decorative background pattern (horseshoes and crowns) may symbolize luck or power. For modern readers: this mocks Platt as a manipulative political boss wielding behind-the-scenes control, a common target of Judge's satirical commentary on the era's corrupt political machines and bosses.