Judge, 1912-10-12 · page 6 of 28
Judge — October 12, 1912 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This four-panel satirical sequence mocks the disconnect between political promises and economic reality, specifically targeting tariff debate rhetoric. **The Satire:** A figure labeled "Muckraker" (likely representing progressive journalists or politicians) promises "Mr. Common People" and "Mr. Farmer" that reducing wool tariffs will lower clothing prices. After the tariff reduction passes (panel 3), farmers find no market for wool and prices actually *rise*—the opposite of promised. Panel 4 shows buyers shocked by higher prices, having been duped. **The Point:** The cartoon exposes how political rhetoric about tariff reduction—presented as benefiting ordinary citizens—actually harms farmers and consumers while enriching manufacturers. The "Muckraker" figure represents those making false populist claims. The lower section, "The Ways of Men," appears unrelated—a humorous vignette about social hypocrisy in accepting invitations. **Context:** This reflects early-20th-century American debates over protectionist vs. free-trade tariff policies.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
N DREAMLAN D. ails) 1, Mr. Muckraker assures Mr. Common People and Mr. Farmer that if the tariff on wool is reduced clothing will be 3. The tariff on wool has been reduced, and Mr. Farmer can but he remembers Mr. Muck- ing would be cheaper find no market for his wool raker's assurance that The Ways of Men. Boreleigh—‘‘Hullo, Dubbs, old man! Delighted to see you! Fine! How have you been, and how is Mrs. Dubbs?"’ Dubbs—‘‘Never better. And you?’’ Boreleigh—‘Great! Say, old man, how about coming down to Windymere for over Sunday?” Dubbs—‘Nothing I'd like only”’ Boreleigh—‘‘Mrs. B. told me not to forget to ask you and the little lady to come out. We can have a corking old time together, and’’—— Dubbs—Bully! Nothing I'd like better! We were saying only the other night how much we wanted to see you and the madam. Only I can’t promise for sure, Boreleigh. I'll have to speak to my wife about it; but we'll move heaven and earth to come. She may have some other engagement, you know; better, Mr. Common People and Mr. Farmer, enlightened by Mr. Muckraker, thank him for his tip and promise to vote — for tariff‘reduction ALL PRicEes ON CLUTHING ADVA™ CED. WHERE THE FIRST PESSIMIST GOT HIS GROUCH. Bear—* Grer-t!"" —— Hunter—'* Ouch !"" 4. Mr. Common People and Mr. Farmer go to buy suits of clothing and strangely find prices gher than ever They wake up! but, even at that, I'll see if I can’t get her to break it.’’ Boreleigh—Great! Do your darned- est, old man! You used to be able to wheedle a bird off a tree with your per- suasive eloquence, so try a little of it on, and we'll look for you on an early train. So long!" Dubbs—"*So long! until Saturday !"" Two hours later. Dubbs—"*Who d'you against to-day, Queenie Mrs. Dubbs—''I don’t know. Who?"’ Dubbs—That old jackass, Boreleigh! He wants us out there for Saturday and Sunday.” Mrs. Dubbs—‘Mercy, Harry! did you tell him?"’ Dubbs—'*Said I'd be delighted, but I'd leave it to you; and I want you to see to it that we don’t go. Understand?"" T can hardly wait suppose I ran What comicbooks.com