Judge, 1913-02-15 · page 13 of 24
Judge — February 15, 1913 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon satirizes early 20th-century gender discrimination in the legal system. A husband appears in court on behalf of his wife, Mrs. Gwendolyn Q. Makmakenforth, claiming she cannot serve jury duty because she's pregnant (the "stork" reference). The judge initially insists she appear in person, but when the husband reveals she's expecting twins, the courtroom erupts in laughter—and the judge immediately excuses her. The satire cuts both ways: it mocks the absurdity of legal rules requiring physical presence for a pregnant woman, while also ridiculing the judge's sudden "fairness" once he learns about the pregnancy. The final line—that the court can be "as fair and impartial as any other voter"—is sarcastic commentary on women's legal inequality and lack of voting rights at this time. The smaller items below are unrelated humor pieces about pens and wordplay.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NOTHING TO LAUGH‘AT. “What in the world do those silly men see so funny about one driving one’s own car?” It THE JUDGE looked over his glasses at the bevy of fair women who had appeared or jury duty. “By reason of inadequate space,’? he remarked, ‘‘you will not he asked to re- move your hats. Clerk, call the list.’” The clerk cleared his throat and read, “Mrs. Gwendolyn Q. Makmakenforth.”” A small man stepped forward. ‘Your honor,”” he began. “You would not assume to be the lady?” the judge asked. “By no means. present."” “A failure to attend, as stated on her summons,"’ remarked his honor, ‘‘makes her liable to a fine of twenty-five dollars for each day. It is furthermore stated that all jurors having a legal excuse for non-service must appear in person and present such excuse to the judge presid- ing.’” “Of which she is aware,’’ said the small man. ‘‘But an authority even greater than that of the court has de- creed she cannot appear in person; there- But she cannot be Will Be fore I, as her husband, come with her excuse.’’ “She must appear in person!’? thun- dered the judge. “But, your honor, the stork’’—— Asunny feminine smile illuminated the dingy courtroom as the panel of jury- women heard the hint, and a mammoth yell went up, “Boy or girl?” THE SILENT PARTNER. So. The small man—Gwendolyn’s husband —smiled sadly. ‘‘Your honor,”’ he said, “it is one of each.’” “The lady'is excused,’’ announced the court, ‘‘for we wish it to be understood we can\be as fair and impartial as any other voter.’” No more excuses were offered, each ‘woman wishing to serve such a noble and upright judge. A.W. UL “A Mark the Archer Little Meant.” First citizen (reading newspaper on street car)—Biting jest in that Spanish item, eh? Second citizen—How so? First citizen (reading)—Why, “It is reported that Queen Victoria is suffering from influenza as well as King Alphonso,'’ One Reason. Knicker—The pen is mightier than the sword. Bocker—Yes; there isn’t any fountain sword. comicbooks.com