Judge, 1907-05-11 · page 6 of 16
Judge — May 11, 1907 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **editorial censorship through advertiser/ownership pressure**. The main cartoon "A Safe Subject" depicts a cartoonist unable to draw anything—every potential target (Senator Grabbit, Bryan, Roosevelt, Russia, Germany, Japan, China, Turkey, Congo) is blocked because the newspaper's owners have personal or business connections to those subjects. The joke is that there's literally nothing "safe" to cartoon about, highlighting how wealthy newspaper owners suppress criticism to protect their social and financial interests. This reflects early 20th-century concerns about media independence and corporate influence. The secondary cartoons mock unrelated topics: "The Puppy and the Port" shows a dog discovering fermented juice; "A Last Resort" suggests failed students might become popular songwriters; "A Misapprehension" plays on Irish dialect; and others offer light humor. The page illustrates **Progressive Era anxieties** about whether a free press could exist when owners prioritized profit and social standing over journalism.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A SAFE SUBJECT. s4]'LL begin work right away,” said the cartoonist who had just been engaged by the newspaper editor. ‘+ There's a corking good idea for a cartoon in that interview with Senator Grabbit, in which he says that the vested interests are entitled to the admiration.and assistanceof the legislators. cartoon of Senator Grabbit putting a vest on the "—— ** That won't do,” objected the editor. sonal friend of one of the owners of the paper. «* Then I'll make a cartoon of Bryan in the "—— «No, close friend of the other owner of the paper.” +All right. Ican do a dandy on Roosevelt "—~ «Lord, no! is an assistant secretary to one of the departments 2° «I didn't know that. Let's see. What's the matter with Til makea “+ Grabbitt is a per- Bryan's best friend here married a daughter of a Didn't you know that the senior owner's son a cartoon on THE PUPPY AND THE PORT. the ble?" ++ Nope. next summer's trip. “How about Russia? “The senior owner's niece married a Russian duke, or count. alone, the Japs and San Francisco school trou- A MISAPPREHENSION. “Why th’ divil do they hov loife-presarvers on an automobile? He musht be thinkin’ av crossin’ th’ river an’ can't shwim."" The junior owner is getting a lot of passports and things from Japan for his Musn’t offend Japan.” Good chance to cartoon the troubles there.” Have to let Russia “Germany, or France, or England 2” I'm afraid not. The senior owner's wife is traveling abroad, and is being entertained Sa Wines TUN URIOT ea reccaeee = 1. He sees the juice dripping into the jug. A LAST RESORT. LAINLY, Mrs. Lackwit was troubled as she sought out her husband in his study. “George, I'm actually worried about Johnny's future. He has absolutely no head for mathematics; and to-day the principal of the school told me that, much as he disliked to say it, our boy was scarcely able to compose a line of cor- rect English.” Mr. Lackwit was less dis- turbed at the news. “+ Let’s not get discouraged, Maria,” said he. + Johnny may never make much of a bank-president or a magazine- editor, but his case might be less hopeful. At the worst, he can still become a writer of popular songs.” IF. [FALL the trips Ive had at sea Should take effect at once on me In one huge, nauseated spell, Gee! wouldn't I be sick! Well, well! ADOLESCENCE. Mr. Rooster—"' Yes, my daughters are just at that awkward age when it is impossible to make them appear well." by the nobility and other important people in those countries.” «The Chinese, then. ot on this paper. We can always whack them." The senior owner has an idea he will be minister to China some day.” “Gee! Let's give Turkey a rap.” «That would be fatal. If the senior owner doesn't go to China it is almost certain he will go to Turkey.” ++ How ahout the Congo + Didn't I say the senior owner's wife is over there, where she is apt to run into Leopold’s se: ? «That's so. Well, the South American republics.” ++I should say not! The junior owner's son has a lot of rubber concessions and a plantation or two down there.” «Blamed if I'm not up against it! some local subject ?” + Not just now, Can I take up We're on the fence, politically.” ++ Well, Great Scott ! what can Ido?” “TTL tell you. You can- make all the car- toons you want to about the Esquimaux.” KINDNESS TO CHILDREN. 46 P)O you think child. D labor is as prev- alent as it was?” “No, indeed. Not half as many children take music-lessons as formerly.” 3. Then he walketh unsteadily forth, as goeth a man, FREEDOM'S CHARGE. Se THIS magazine arti- cle says that bach- elors should be taxed,” remarked Mrs. Grouch, “That's the way !" exclaimed Mr. Grouch vigorously. A man can’t enjoy anything these days without pay- ing for i: LL things come to him who does not 4. Upsetting a Noah's ark, he thinketh he hath a wait, case of delirium tremens. comicbooks.com