Judge — February 23, 1924 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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# Analysis of Judge Page, February 23, 1924 This satirical piece titled "The President's Business" mocks George Washington's famous honesty (the cherry tree legend), contrasting it with requirements for modern presidents. The poem suggests contemporary presidents must be dishonest—able to tell lies, evade taxes, accept bribes, and ignore rent disputes—to succeed politically. The illustration shows a dignified figure (likely representing the presidency or Washington's legacy) watching common people and corruption, with the caption "The road hog takes up dancing," suggesting moral decay and social disorder. The satire critiques 1920s political corruption and moral compromise. By invoking Washington's mythologized integrity against current leadership standards, Judge argues that honest governance has become impossible in contemporary American politics.