Judge — December 14, 1901 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts a massive serpent coiled across Capitol grounds, directly beneath the American flag. The snake appears to represent a domestic political threat or crisis demanding Congressional attention. The caption "A Hint to Congress" and subtitle "Take it off our flag!" suggest the cartoonist is warning legislators that some serious problem is corrupting or endangering the nation's institutions and values. The serpent's placement on the American flag implies this threat is fundamental to national integrity. Without additional context from the 1901 period, the specific issue remains unclear—it could reference corruption, monopolies, labor unrest, or another contemporary crisis. The dramatic imagery emphasizes urgency, implying Congress must act decisively to remove this danger before it further compromises American democracy.