Judge, 1921-05-07 · page 11 of 32
Judge — May 7, 1921 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Our Moral Guides" by Walt Mason This satirical piece mocks self-righteous moral busybodies who lecture others about their behavior. The cartoon depicts various disapproving figures—a stern woman with a halo, a preachy man with a sign showing "Freaks" labeled "After One Cigar" and "After Five Cigars," and a portly authority figure—all wagging fingers at ordinary people. Mason's text rails against intrusive moralists who condemn smoking, drinking, and other minor vices while ignoring their own flaws (bad teeth, poor grooming, sanctimoniousness). He complains that these self-appointed arbiters of morality are hypocrites—the bearded, judgmental man has no right to lecture, nor do the "old maids" and "old skates" who need baths themselves. The satire targets the early 20th-century moral reform movement's finger-wagging culture, suggesting that true moral authority rests with those who practice what they preach, not meddlesome scolds.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
It THAT ALL Our / ration b OLKS tell me what 1 mustn’t do, if TP would gain a they say T mustn't smoke or chew, or pour brew down y litth away my crown There's always some one at and lecture me until the he the door to mark ins I'm sore, and grins their al but Perhap. as can be \ scrawny «me a dance ing all her time to making war ilway’s tire tome th ajar, and ark cigar. And she’s she wants to make sted me for ut my asin and song before she cashes in. She re Tuse world sublime n hour becay ur, a damsel gone to sced I sadly viewed her up and down, I viewed her to and fro; she dl had big feet below. Hern cheap, ill-f dd was her hair her ey me a total boss. Oh, Lost Lenore ing gown, a were cr she red ned te id to her ack in| ur den: f ey pe crawlt vy you but make yourself a bore, and we ent men have rebuked me long and well, and chased away my sit you down, my giddy belle, and [ll rebuke a while.” moral right in public to appear while she you are looking here. Your teeth they're badly out of line, and smile now No woman ha is looking hoa fright as ald have the dentist's care sandburs in your hair, your face Isomine you have needs k Moral By Wau VoTREAD THE MORAL P. Guide r \Ason Barton Raven thstood the sunshine and the rain Tox vour feet don't track w x your bonnet Fa s trilbys should, your hands give me a pair The must be so smooth she'll m me quit the habits I most a hit. and gladden my woman Who would make prize old eves. \ lovely maid with orbs of bluc moke a sweet and blushing pet. might bid me cease to und chew, and I would ery, "You het But lovely f the blooming girl Unpleasant relies come and lecture me for smoking So leave me to my cheap cheroots, and to my fountain ire three common hoots if you don’t come rattles do not come on errands such as that; chewing gum or trying ona hat old maids and matrons my way ay, and jaw me till they're pen, and T won't e: gain.” Today a moralist appe mist how where duty lies; he had a uch hangdowns [ despise. N with whi ure that hens might nest therein me up until I lose the taint of worldly sin. The man w not buy a shave when barbers need the mon, can’t make me like a saint behave and shake all joy and fun It seems to me that all the freaks now tread the moral path; kers on their checks, old maids who need dite beard man an jack will ers so pri old skates with whi comicbooks.com