Judge — October 17, 1908 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page showcases satirical postal cards designed as campaign literature. The cartoons mock various political and social issues: **"Free Trade"** and **"Workingmen Are Public Beggars"** (attributed to W.J. Bryan) depict workers suffering from economic policies, suggesting free trade harms American laborers. **"Free Silver"** likely references the monetary policy debate of the 1890s-1900s era. **"Smash the Tariff"** and **"Bust the Trusts"** appear to target monopolies and protectionist trade policies. The final card shows a woman labeled "American Industries" in distress, with figures representing different political positions arguing over her fate. These postcards functioned as campaign propaganda, using exaggeration and caricature to sway public opinion on major political debates of the Progressive Era—particularly around tariffs, currency, and corporate power. The format allowed cheap mass distribution of political messaging.