Judge — December 29, 1900 — page 1: what you’re looking at

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# Analysis of "A Christmas Bath" This December 29, 1900 *Judge* cartoon satirizes **President William McKinley** (the bearded figure) addressing corruption scandals, particularly regarding the **Boxer Rebellion** in China and American military conduct there. The caption quotes McKinley saying to "Mr. Croker" (likely Richard Croker, Tammany Hall boss), "It will take something stronger than the waters of Carlsbad to remove those spots." The satire suggests that McKinley's administration is stained by scandals—depicted as spots on the child figure—that mere cosmetic efforts ("Carlsbad waters," a famous spa) cannot cleanse. The figure's tattooed labels (partially legible) likely reference specific controversial actions or officials. The cartoon criticizes the administration's inability to address serious moral failings through superficial measures.