Judge, 1902-07-26 · page 1 of 16
Judge — July 26, 1902 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This political cartoon satirizes Uncle Sam's massive spending on infrastructure and social programs. Uncle Sam, wearing his characteristic top hat, carries enormous scrolls labeled "Panama Canal," "River and Harbor Improvements," "Education," "Development of Colonies," "Appropriations," and other public works. A tiny figure (appearing to represent a political opponent or fiscal conservative) cowers beneath this towering load, alarmed at the spending. The caption's joke—that Uncle Sam claims to be a "billion-dollar man" after a single congressional session spending "a billion dollars"—mocks the rapid accumulation of federal expenditures. This reflects early-1900s political debate over expansionism, infrastructure investment, and government spending following the Spanish-American War.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOI..43 NO.108+ JULY 26 1902 PRICE 10 CENTS Mudge 1902 er vest Commer. Tine Reomtence a8 4 Tease Man Kmrenee ar ree Poor Ormce at Mew Yoon as Secome Coase MATTER, Corrment ee “ ~pLSRALN oy COPYRIONT 1902 BY JUDGE COMPANY OF NEW YORK. Sachett Wibeims ithe B Pig Co NewYork HE’S A BILLION-DOLLAR MAN. Uxcre Sam—‘‘ Don’t be alarmed. I have had a + BILLION-DOLLAR congress,’ and I have just spent a billion dollars at ONE SESSION ; but I am growing very fast—in fact, I am a ‘dillivn-dollar man.’” comicbooks.com