Judge, 1904-08-13 · page 6 of 16
Judge — August 13, 1904 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces mocking early 20th-century American politics and society: **"Far-Seeing"** ridicules racial stereotyping in campaign tactics. Campaign managers discuss "cornering the colored vote" by buying watermelons and possums—offensive caricatures reducing Black voters to crude stereotypes. The satire exposes how cynically politicians exploited racial prejudices. **"A Pop Campaign"** mocks campaign managers deploying an attractive young woman as a speaker. She draws large crowds of admirers, but when she announces an engagement two days before election, her influence evaporates—netting only one vote. The joke satirizes both the superficiality of political campaigning and managers' shortsighted exploitation of women. **"Prosperity"** shows a wealthy breakfast-food factory owner ordering an elaborate, expensive meal. The irony: he owns the factory producing the very "breakfast-food" being served, suggesting self-serving capitalism and the absurdity of manufactured "prosperity." These pieces mock political corruption, racial exploitation, and commercialism characteristic of the Gilded Age/Progressive Era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A BALLADE OF KNOWLEDGE. THAT knowledge is power No man will deny. When frosty clouds lower No ology 's dry ; But June in the sky, With her torrid misrule, It's better, say I, Knowing how to keep cool. To name each wild flower, So frail and so shy, In spring’s dewy bower Much joy must supply ; But chained in July To a hard office-stool, "Twere better, say I, Knowing how to keep cool. To forecast the shower, Old scrolls to unpie, Will be my high tower Of bliss till I die. But when the boats lie On a rippleless pool, “Twere better, say 1, Knowing how to keep cool. “Warm, isn't it?” + Hot enough for you?” And when these questions fly You may lead your whole school And take honors just by Knowing how to keep cool. ADWARD W. RARKARD. FAR-SEEING. S6 BILL!” exclaims the wheel- horse, rushing into the pri- vate office of the campaign-man- ager, “those opposition fellows are cornering the colored vote right and left.” “ How are they doing it?” “They have bought all the watermelons available and are do- nating them to the sons of Ham.” "Don't you lose any sleep over that,” advises the wise manager. “T've got a scheme that will outwit such a move.’ I've arranged to have all the ‘possums in the state trapped by election-day and will use them where they will do the most good. Watermelon will be a dim memory when ‘possums are ripe.” HARD TO BE BELIEVED. He—"' Darling, | love you and you alone! Swe—"'I must. Are you not in full charge of the Sunday Gush's sworn circulation department?” Can you doubt me?" A POP CAMPAIGN. NCE there was a beauteous damsel who convinced an astute political manager that she would win many votes for his par- ty if she were permitted to make speeches in its behalf. So she was given a liberal allowance from the campaign fund and was sent over the state on different tours. Now, she had great influence over the first voters, and for a time it seemed as if all the young men were being won over by her. Indeed, they followed her from city to city, and her audi- ences were always large and en- thusiastic. But, alas! two days before election she announced that she had accepted one of the young men. The consequence was that the net result of her speaking- tours was just one vote for the ticket. This’ teaches us that party managers should look to it that the woman who makes the speech- ¢s should not be too young and pretty, and that she should keep her admirers guessing until after the polls close. PROSPERITY. SOVAITER,” says the heavy- set man at the next table, “you may bring me a grape-fruit, a thick porterhouse steak broiled very rare, an extra pot of coffee, some hot rolls, a double order of pancakes, and—and bring a ‘stiff Manhattan cocktail first. Then let the rest of the breakfast come along quickly.” As the waiter turns away we whisper to our friend, “ Who is that gentleman ?” “That's Mr, Wheatfield McNutt, the millionaire owner of the fac- tory that makes the breakfast-food we have just ordered.” A BOOM BOOMERANG, Erwer—'| am delighted to hear business is so good."* Jacx—"' Yes. From all indications, before long we may expect (swish /) — comicbooks.com