Judge — September 24, 1898 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts an investigation into a scandal. Five caricatured male figures stand before a large wrench labeled "INVESTIGATION" with text asking "WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECENT DIREST?" (likely "DISASTER"). One figure holds a bottle labeled "QUININE," suggesting illness or disease context. The rightmost figure, sitting on a donkey, claims "MEJOR JOSE JACK-ASS DID IT"—a pun playing on "jack-ass" (fool) and possibly referencing a political figure named José. The cartoon satirizes political finger-pointing during a crisis, with officials deflecting blame onto a scapegoat. The wrench imagery suggests mechanical or systemic failure requiring investigation. Without knowing the specific historical event and date, the exact identities remain unclear, but this represents typical Gilded Age political satire mocking governmental accountability dodging.