Judge, 1919-03-15 · page 10 of 36
Judge — March 15, 1919 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Judge Magazine Page **Main Cartoon - "The Astute Hon."** This satirizes a cynical Arkansas politician (Hon. John R. Boomwaller) promising hillside farmers free whales—an absurdly useless gift. The joke exposes hollow campaign rhetoric: the politician admits the gift has no practical value, yet confidently expects election because voters want "free" things regardless of utility. It mocks both demagogic politicians and gullible voters who support impractical promises. **Supporting Content** The page includes two brief joke pieces: one about a lawyer deliberately delaying estate settlement to earn fees, and another about a bishop remembered only for thanking God before dinner—mocking both mercenary lawyers and insincere clergy. The lengthy text about Homer's Trojan War suitors appears unrelated satire, possibly mocking pedantic classical scholarship or wartime paper scarcity. **Overall Message**: Post-WWI skepticism toward authority figures (politicians, lawyers, clergy) making false or self-serving promises.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Drawn by Guat Be Hasacres “TE can't until you go down.” It’ll Be News to 99: of the People OR PENTELIOUS Z. 3IT is of the opinion e the war is over and scarc- ity of print paper no longer threat- ens, his classical discovery made some four years , Should now be published, viz.: That among the suitors of Helen of Troy were Schedius, son of Epistrophus; Mnes- theus, son of Peteus; Thalpius, son of Eurytus; Agapenor, son of An- cacus;” Meges, son of Phileus; Amphilocus, son of Cteatus; Dio- medes, son of Tydeus; Sthenelus, son of Capaneus; Antilochus, son of Nestor; Ulysses, son of Laertes; Polyxenus, son of Agasthenes; Am- philious, son of Amphiaraus; As- calaphus and Ialmus, sons of the god Mars; Ajax, son of Oileus; Eumelus, son of Admetus; Poly- poetes, son of Pirithous; Elpenor, son of Chalcodon; Podalirius and Machaon, sons of Esculapius; Le- ontus, son of Coronus; Philoc- tetes, son of Paen; Protesilaus, son of Iphiclus; Eurypylus, son of Evemon; Ajax and Teucer, sons of Telamon; Patroclus, son of Menoetius; Menelaus, son of Atreus, and also Thoas, Idomencus, and Merion, the names of whose fathers Professor Snaggit has been unable to learn. The Astute Hon. “IN my race for the legislature,” de- clared the Hon. John R. Boom waller, the well-known Arkansas states- man, “I am promising that my first act after taking my seat will be to introduce a bill to present every hillside farmer in the Grand Old Commonwealth with a full grown whale, absolutely free of charge. And I'M bet you anything you like that I will be overwhelmingly elected!” “But, great guns!” carped a sensible citizen. “Don’t you realize that farmers ‘on hillsides haven't any use for whales?” “Well, that doesn’t prevent them from wanting whales, if they are free, does it? And, confidentially, what difference does it make whether they can use whales or not, 2s long as they are not going to xetany?” Pertinent Query Lawyer—Yes, sit! We can settle up this estate for you in about eight months The Principal Heir—But can you wait that long for the money? Bessie’s Memory Bessie (to Bishop)—Weren’t you here once before? The Bishop—Nes, my child, two years ago. How did you come to remember me? Bessie—You thanked God for the din- ner you had here. comicbooks.com