Judge — July 21, 1906 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This Judge magazine cover from July 21, 1906 depicts a political cartoon titled "Leave Well Enough Alone." The central figure appears to be a well-dressed man smoking a cigar, confronted by a smaller figure (labeled "Willy") holding what looks like a rifle or gun marked "Heller Kid." A small dog is also present. The caption dialogue reads: Hearst says "Give me a puff, Willy. You've smoked two already" and Bryan responds "Go along, sonny! You're too young to smoke." This likely satirizes William Randolph Hearst (the man smoking) being rebuked by William Jennings Bryan regarding political ambitions or power-seeking. The cartoon suggests Hearst is overreaching or too inexperienced for his political aspirations, using the smoking metaphor to mock his pretensions.