Judge — April 14, 1906 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts a hen sitting on an enormous egg labeled "REPUBLICAN RAIL-ROAD RATE" (text partially visible). The incomplete caption asks "Who is the mother—the hen that..." suggesting a riddle about parentage or responsibility. The satire likely critiques Republican Party policies regarding railroad regulation and rates, which were contentious political issues in the late 19th/early 20th century. The cartoon suggests confusion or dispute over who bears responsibility for these policies—treating the legislative outcome as something controversial being "birthed" by the political system. The artist signature reads "FLOTKIN" (or similar). Without the complete caption, the full joke's target remains somewhat unclear, but it clearly mocks Republican railroad policy as absurd or problematic.