Judge, 1913-09-27 · page 13 of 24
Judge — September 27, 1913 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a political parable mocking early 20th-century American political corruption, specifically targeting the Wood-Row (Woodrow Wilson) administration. The narrative ridicules the gap between merit-based civil service and actual patronage politics. A worthy man studies law, passes civil service exams with honors, but cannot secure a job through legitimate channels. When he appeals to the governor based on qualifications, he's dismissed—the governor doesn't care about merit. Only when he consults the "Boss" (the political machine operator) does he succeed, but only by: 1. Contributing ten talents to the "Slush Fund" (campaign bribery) 2. Doing partisan work (electing Mike Murphy in the Eighth Ward) The moral: public jobs require political corruption, not competence. The piece satirizes how American civil service reform remained theoretical while machine politics and patronage actually controlled hiring. The bottom panel appears unrelated advertising humor about a motor car.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Parables of Pifflicus Of the Patriot Who Sought a Public Job OW IT so befell that during the reign of Wood-Row a certain man was siezed with a great yearning to serve the multitude by holding down a Public Job. So he said unto him- solf, I will sit at the feet of the scribes and be- come learned in the laws, that I may thus insure myself a place even among those in authority. And after many months he set forth unto the temple of the law and took the examina- tion for the Civil Service. And he was not nd wanting in wis- dom, and passed the same, even with great honour. But though he tarried many years through the spri ime and the harvest, and sought without ceasing, the Job came not, and he was weary within himself and sore distressed withal. And one who knew him was moved to sore compassion and spake unto him, say- ing, Thou art a worthy man, and entitled toa Fat Job. Get thee unto the gover- nor and tell him thy desires. LATEST FASHION JOURNAL And he betook himself unto the gov- ernor. But the governor laughed with exceed- ing mirth, saying, I know thee not. done for the Party? Whereupon one who knew the game condoled with him, saying, Thou art a fool. Thou hadst saved thyself much sorrow if thou hadst Seen the Boss, even in the beginning. And he went unto the Boss. And the Boss spake unto him thus: Give ine ten talents for the Slush Fund and humpthyself to elect one called Mike Murphy in the Eighth Ward, and thou shalt have thy reward. And he went out and did evenas he bade him. And _ behold, What hast thou ever ing too fast. after that the ticket was elected, and he that was Boss was faithful unto his vow, and gave him a Place even at his righ hand. And he that had long sought sorrowing said within himself, Verily, much learning is well, but he that would land a Public Job must first De- liver the Goods. Selah.—1. Kee Maxwell. AFFRONTED Motor expert—The noise in the engine that you complain of is caused by spark- Miss Riverside—The idea! comicbooks.com