Judge — April 1, 1911 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical page attacks President William Howard Taft's political record through five cartoons. The top panel shows Uncle Sam reflecting on the nearly-finished Panama Canal—a major project. Below, three panels mock Taft's statements and actions: "What President Taft Says" depicts him dismissing concerns ("Let the lady pass in"), while "Carried Away by the 'Bugs'" shows political issues as flying insects disrupting order. The right panel, "What President Taft Sings," suggests his policies lack substance. The bottom cartoon, "Feeding the Bird," appears most critical: a large "Patriotism" cannon feeds an eagle, implying the administration uses patriotic rhetoric to distract from actual governing failures. Overall, the page portrays Taft as ineffective, contradictory, and reliant on empty nationalist appeals rather than substantive policy.