Judge — May 19, 1900 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes **Admiral George Dewey**, the celebrated American naval commander who defeated the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War (1898). The exaggerated caricature shows Dewey with a prominent mustache, holding what appears to be a bottle labeled "Politics." The joke's caption—"Shiver my timbers, but this is SOUR!"—plays on his nautical background while mocking his venture into political life. The smaller figures in the background likely represent political observers or rivals. The satire suggests that Dewey, flush with military fame, attempted to enter politics but found the political arena distasteful or challenging—a "sour" experience compared to his naval victories. This references Dewey's brief 1900 presidential campaign, which failed to gain traction.