Judge — December 16, 1899 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Judge Magazine - December 16, 1899 This political cartoon titled "The Country Is Safe" depicts a caricatured figure (labeled as representing "the HEN/derson") sitting in an ornate chair within what appears to be the U.S. Capitol building. The caption states "The HEN(derson) takes the nest left by the REED bird." This appears to reference a transition in House Speaker leadership in late 1899. The cartoon uses bird wordplay—"REED" (likely Speaker Thomas Brackett Reed) and "HEN/derson" (likely David B. Henderson, his successor)—to satirize the changing of the guard in Congressional leadership. The ornate chair represents the Speaker's position. The artist's satirical point seems to be commentary on this political transition, though the specific implications of the "country is safe" assertion are unclear without additional historical context.