Judge — April 26, 1902 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts American prosperity as a large magnet attracting various figures and objects—likely representing both desirable outcomes (wealth, commerce, industry) and problematic ones (corrupt politicians, speculators, or social elements). The caption states: "The only bad feature of our prosperity." The satire suggests that while America's economic boom around 1902 brought genuine benefits, it also attracted undesirable characters and behaviors—corruption, greed, or exploitation. The magnet metaphor implies that prosperity acts indiscriminately, drawing both legitimate enterprise and moral hazards. The cartoon critiques the dark side of the Gilded Age prosperity, suggesting that rapid economic growth inherently attracts unsavory elements to society.