Judge — April 1, 1899 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Democratic Hen" This political cartoon from *Judge* magazine (April 1, 1899) satirizes the Democratic Party through the metaphor of a hen that has hatched lobsters instead of chicks. The artwork is credited to Grant Hamilton. The image suggests the Democratic Party produced unexpected or undesirable outcomes—represented by the lobsters—contrary to what was promised or expected (chicks). The hen's distressed expression emphasizes the disappointment and chaos of the situation. This likely references internal Democratic Party divisions or failed policies during the 1890s, a period marked by economic depression and party fracturing. The lobsters may represent specific Democratic initiatives or leaders that proved problematic or unwanted. The absurdist humor relies on the visual incongruity of a barnyard hen with crustaceans.