Judge, 1915-11-06 · page 16 of 28
Judge — November 6, 1915 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece by R.A. Ballinger depicts a kangaroo dressed in academic regalia (Oxford cap and gown), attempting to pass as a Doctor of Laws. The cartoon ridicules someone—likely a political figure of the era—whose pretensions to respectability and legitimacy are absurdly transparent. The satire works on multiple levels: the kangaroo's disguise foolishly fails to hide his true nature (his "fifth leg" or kangaroo characteristics remain visible); his vanity drives him to seek power and prestige; and his absurd philosophy—that "a man with two eyes can better afford to lose an eye than a one-eyed man"—exemplifies foolish reasoning. The text suggests criticism of someone in office who refuses to travel for public good, preferring to remain in power through questionable means. The "Kangarooed" reference appears to reference jumping to conclusions or erratic decision-making. Without specific dating or context, the exact political target remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
K A N Al KANGAROO possessed himself of an ford cap and gown. He though garments concealed his form so that he mi be taken for a Doctor of Laws. They did n however, cover the fifth legs as he leaped about the part, in his own » very, very great. Ie his kind and other kind, speaking and dissension the office. Still more puffed up cess, he Solonized him to travel and the relief of his own No, I like my office and T that real progress is n legs instead of four, when ‘kangarooed’; that is, to my whims!” His philosophy was that eves can better afford to lose « eyed man,” and he proce make every man a one-eyed mv R BALLINGER