Judge, 1904-08-13 · page 7 of 16
Judge — August 13, 1904 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical commentary on early 20th-century American politics and social attitudes, primarily through an "old salt's" (experienced sailor's) observations. **Main Content:** - The sailor argues that workers—including sailors—have legitimate political interests despite not always being present to vote - He criticizes a local Democrat operative who discourages workers from supporting good wages and conditions, framing it as "good politics" - A separate section uses nautical metaphors to mock political "platforms," suggesting Democrats offer unstable footing while Republicans (implied) provide safer ground **Notable Elements:** - A racist cartoon ("Not Quick Enough") jokes about photographing Black Americans eating watermelon—relying on crude ethnic stereotypes - Other comics feature romantic/domestic humor unrelated to politics **Historical Context:** The page reflects Progressive Era concerns about labor politics and worker exploitation, while simultaneously revealing the era's casual, offensive racial attitudes. The sailor represents working-class political agency against elite manipulation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
AN OLD SALTS OBSERVATIONS. aa ylt AUNT when th sails are slap pin’ an’ crackin’ in a calm that { ) th’ ship 's makin’ most head- way, although it's then she's noisiest. It's when her sails are full of wind an’ silent. Same way in politics. When that feller come up to me an’ said that I hadn't no right to be especial interested in politics because I was a sail- or an’ generally was at sea election time an’ couldn't vote, I reckon I made him think that he was arguin’ with th’ wrong man. I says, says I to him, “What would your Democrat campaign clubs do for raw material if us THE ACME OF CONGENIAL EMPLOYMENT. sailors didn’t git our ships an’ th’ emigrants Lancuip Lonercan—"' Hain't it de mos’ delightful t'ing inde world dat I run ercross dis comic artist? “What town is this?” I asked th’ Qerted. See?” brakeman on th’ train, « Esopus,” says th’ brakeman, «Is there anythin’ of interest about it?" I inquired. “Well, th’ brakeman says. “He's jest a Democrat. That's all that troubles yes," th’ brakeman said, “A man lives here that believes that he can him make th’ workmen feel that it's good politics to throw a job up because “What's all this they mean when they talk about their pllitical you're gettin’ good wages, have short hours, like your boss, are sure of platforms?” a sailor-man says to me. “That depends,” says I, “on work as long ’s you live, an’ gener'ly have nothin’ much to kick on.” which one you have reference to. If you mean th’ St. Louis platform, “ He must be a foolish little feller,” I remarked surprised. “Oh, no,” — then it’s somethin’ like th’ masthead of a ship. In fine weather there's mighty little space to stand on; an’ when she blows there's less, with nothin’ but thin air to grab at when th’ ship‘of state's a-rollin’, If you mean th’ oth- er—well, then figger out th’ quarter-deck, wide an’ comfort- able in good weather, an’ safe even when th’ wind is high an’ th’ seas are rollin’ in to put her on her beam-ends every lick.” EDWARD MAnSHaLS. NOT QUICK ENOUGH. s+ PED you succeed in get- ting those darkies to pose for you, with the big slices of watermelon held to their mouths ?” asks the friend of the amateur photographer. «Yes ; but [had poor suc- cess with the picture. The photo simply shows a blur where the heads should be.” “If you wanted to get a QUEERED. picture of darkies eating water- Moe—“ Mein darling, mein brecious, mein sun “— . Rerecca (freezingly)—" Oxcoose me: but if you are making love to me you had better took your gaze from dot ™elon you should have used a necklace."* moving-picture camera. BUT THE BIG BREAKER BUTTED IN. Cxotty—" Darling, say that you witl be mine: ee ere I worship you! To me yov are as a goddess—— ich comicbooks.com