Judge — May 31, 1902 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Boom!" — Judge Magazine, May 31, 1902 This political cartoon depicts a large cannon labeled "KEEP IT FULL" exploding with massive clouds of smoke. The note instructs readers to "Hold the paper on a level with the eye. Sight along the dinner-pail and see who is being boomed." This is a satirical commentary on political campaigning, specifically the practice of "booming" a candidate—promoting them heavily for office. The "dinner-pail" reference likely alludes to economic prosperity messaging ("a full dinner-pail" was a common political slogan promising voter prosperity). The cannon's explosion suggests the chaotic, explosive nature of campaign promotion and propaganda. By holding the page at eye level and sighting along the barrel, readers would presumably see which political figure was being promoted or attacked, making this an interactive political satire typical of Judge's style.