Judge — June 25, 1927 — page 14: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts a judge (labeled "Gov. Gl. Smith") as a puppet master controlling an "understudy" figure below him. The judge is shown gleefully commanding the understudy to "DRINKER DOWN! DRINKER DOWN!" repeatedly, while the smaller figure obeys. The satire appears to criticize Governor Smith for manipulating or controlling a subordinate political figure through judicial or executive authority. The "understudy" metaphor suggests the figure is merely following orders rather than acting independently. The repeated "drinker down" commands likely reference alcohol prohibition or alcohol-related policies of the era, suggesting hypocrisy or abuse of power in enforcing such laws. The cartoon's title emphasizes the subordinate, replaceable nature of the controlled figure.