Judge — December 21, 1901 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Judge Magazine Cartoon, December 21, 1901 This political cartoon celebrates Republican electoral dominance in New York and nationally as 1902 approaches. The caricatured figure—appearing to be Uncle Sam or a Republican personification—sits blindfolded, holding a gun pointed at his own head. The caption reads: "HE CAN'T SEE WHERE THE HAPPY NEW YEAR COMES IN, when every officer, from President of the United States down to the coroner, is a Republican." The satire is darkly ironic: the cartoon mocks Republican success by suggesting their total control of government offices is so complete and one-sided that it's effectively self-destructive or absurd. The blindfold implies Republicans can't see potential dangers in having monopolistic political power. This reflects Democratic criticism of Republican hegemony during the McKinley era.