Judge — January 19, 1907 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon uses the biblical scapegoat ritual (Leviticus 16) as metaphor. A large figure labeled "ROOSEVELT" kneels while smaller figures (appearing to be children of Israel/the public) place burdens upon him. The cartoon satirizes President Theodore Roosevelt's trust-busting efforts, suggesting he's being made a scapegoat for all economic problems caused by monopolistic trusts. The religious reference implies that blaming one man—even the president—for systemic corporate wrongdoing is futile or unfair, like the ancient ritual of symbolically transferring sins to a goat sent into wilderness. The satire critiques whether Roosevelt's aggressive antitrust policies genuinely address root causes or merely serve as symbolic gesture placating public anger at big business.