Judge — September 2, 1899 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon compares two versions of the Democratic Party's political "express" (campaign locomotive). The image depicts demonic or monstrous figures operating an old, decrepit Democratic locomotive labeled "FREE SILVER" and "DEMOCRATIC EXPRESS" (built in 1896), contrasted with what appears to be a newer Republican alternative. The demons likely represent political corruption or undesirable Democratic policies. Signs reading "DON'T TRUST MONOPOLIES" and "BUY FOR BRYAN" reference William Jennings Bryan's 1896 presidential campaign, which championed free silver—the unlimited coining of silver to inflate the currency. The cartoon's message criticizes the Democratic Party's outdated or dangerous platform, suggesting the GOP's alternative is superior. The monstrous imagery expresses Judge magazine's Republican editorial stance against Democratic policies of that era.