Judge, 1923-02-24 · page 5 of 36
Judge — February 24, 1923 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation of Judge Magazine Cartoon This cartoon satirizes political corruption in the early 20th century American South. The dialogue depicts an elderly Black woman ("Aunt 'Phelie'") asking a young Black boy about his father Jones, who has apparently been imprisoned for selling bootleg liquor. The boy replies that Jones received "two years in de house ob representatives"—a pun conflating jail time with political office. The joke mocks Southern politicians by suggesting they're indistinguishable from criminals: serving in the House of Representatives is presented as equivalent to serving prison time. This reflects Judge magazine's progressive editorial stance critiquing Southern political corruption and Jim Crow-era governance. The rural setting and dialect comedy were typical of the era's satirical style.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
the family that, recently, the dilemma was placed squarely before Sousa, Uncle Sam's premier brass band leader, And that worthy gentle n, Without a mo- ment’s hesitation, in response to the question as to what musical instrument inost effectively soothes the breast of the rising generation, said: he flute, The flute being at hand, or if not at hand, it may be pure trial at any flute store, the problem is to its application. Should it be used club, a switch, or should it be limited ) the purpose ordained for it by nature? The answer to this question must. be given on the spur of the moment, as it depends upon the peculiar circumstances pises of the occasion and still more upon the peculiar temperament of the father, who find himself at variance with the al master, may aspirations of this nocturnal T PROBLEM uppermost in the mind of the oppressed parent is concerned with determining what dulcet tones of the flute will produce the effect of twenty- five sniffs of chloroform, The child may baffle the tacties of the shrewd father. It may refuse to lend an car to the tum- tum-deedle—dee-de and insist upon pull- ng the whiskers or hair of the unrespon- sive daddy. How to proceed? ‘This question rushes to the cranium of the perplexed father. The only thing to do is to obtain the flute and follow inclinations. No special tune is necessary. Any harmony will do. Pick up the baby, seize the flute, and be- gin blowing in a quiet, _self-possessed manner, all the while stroking the head of the infant and smiling at it. If it appreciative, if it possesses an iota of the wife's artistic temperament, it will cease crying and listen rapturously. Not more than an hour or two should elapse before the child becomes somnolent and assumes: the angelic expression of the mother. However, if the infant persists in the display of unreasonable antics, if it re- fuses to heed the mixed melodies from Beethoven, Chopin and Cohan, other means must be employed. infant, which you have thus tenderly in the crook of one arm and turn it over on your knee, Then take the flute and apply rhythmically, keep- ing cadence with the tick-tock of the clock. This method is usually efficacious, although somewhat exotic to the prompt- ings of sentimentally humane fathers. For such there is a more pleasant method. Take the infant, gag it, tie it hand and foot and place—not throw—it in a chair or on the floor. Station your- self ten feet away and begin proceedings with the flute ou are master of the situation. The child can do nothing but regard your brazenness with eyes wide open, Do not weaken, ‘The’ flute is certain to have the proper effect on the child and perhaps also on the neighbor. Sout the neighbor awaken and raise an objection, address him in’ words befitting the dignity of your position as a parent. Be careful not to arouse his ire. Speak to him respectfully, with dignity yet with sufficient warmth to humiliate him. Inform him of your constitutional and inalienable right as a free citizen to do what you please at any time you please without the necessity of applying to him for permission, If the telephone is empl in your conversation with the bothersome neigh- bor, no language is too strong for de- nouncing him and his ilk. Use French. If necessary, invite him to the backyard to settle the matter face to face. Dare him to come out. According to statis- tics he will refrain and beg your pardon. If it isn / to speak to your neighbor face to face across a distance that at least exceeds the length of your opponent’s arm, threaten him with harsh words. It will do no harm and may in- (Continued on page 5) “What dey do? “What dey do to dat’ Jones boy fo’ selling dat’ booze, Aunt ’Phelie?” . Lawd, chile, dey done give him two years in de house ob representatives!”