Judge, 1921-02-26 · page 8 of 32
Judge — February 26, 1921 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Crime and Punishment—As Our Reformers Would Have It" This satirical cartoon mocks Progressive-era reformers' proposed punishments for minor infractions. The title promises harsh penalties for trivial offenses, escalating absurdly: - **Cigar**: A man led away by police - **Apple Pie (30 days)**: Incarceration - **Greeting Wife (2 months)**: Arrest for marital affection - **Church Neglect (6 months)**: Punishment for religious laxity - **Government Cough Syrup refusal (1 year)**: State-mandated medicine - **Unofficial Headlights (2 years)**: Car modification penalty - **Wanting Beer**: Suspected crime - **Final panel**: Execution by hanging The cartoon ridicules overzealous reformers seeking to criminalize everyday behaviors and personal choices through excessive legislation. It argues that well-intentioned but misdirected reform efforts would transform minor personal matters into felonies, ultimately leading to capital punishment for harmless acts.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Apple Pie + 30 days Greeting Wife «« 2 months Neglect. of Church++6 mos. |. of Govt Cough Syrup»L year | Unofficial Headlights ++ 2 years Suspected of Wanting Beer And so to a Felon'’s Fate Draven by Eutisos Hoov en Crime ann Puxisument—As Our Rerorsers Wouto Have Ir 8 comicbooks.com