Judge, 1931-12-26 · page 9 of 37
Judge — December 26, 1931 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Judge Magazine Political Cartoon Analysis This page contains two satirical cartoons mocking early 1920s American politics and rural culture. **Top cartoon**: Depicts President Calvin Coolidge and his cabinet (including Treasury Secretary Mellon, Commerce Secretary Hoover, and Secretary of State Stimson) debating whether to make a Christmas statement. The humor lies in their paralysis—Mellon argues it costs money, others worry about offending regions, and Coolidge ends up asking how to spell "Merry," suggesting presidential incompetence. This satirizes the Coolidge administration's passivity and the cabinet's prioritization of money over governance. **Bottom cartoon**: A rural/hillbilly scene where men mistake a revenue agent ("revenuer") for game to shoot, joking about hitting him "with th' same shot" as a rabbit. This mocks Prohibition enforcement—rural Americans resisting federal tax agents trying to stop illegal whiskey production. The final caption "Joe, have you embezzled that two dollars?" suggests petty corruption among government clerks.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Mr. Woodcock glared and lit a cigar. “Well, we're not getting yvwl gentlemen,” the President said wearily Why do you think we should say noth- ing, Mr. Melion?” “Because it'll cost money and cause trouble and won't get us anywher “Do you think the same, Simeon? “Well, you might just ore the Mid dle-West, say, and) just say somethi for California and maybe New Jerse. “What do you think, Mr. Stimson “It's b for the President to say something Christmas Eve.” he answered. “Ev Mr. Coolidge followed this precedent. think it would be foolhardy to ignore it Mr. Dawes jumped to his feet anc “Tt's past time fo “Merry Christ the custom sinee snorted vigorously he growled. * rd to hell with it!” The group was silent but the gre faces of the great men relaxed, smiled. “It seems to be unanimous,” the Pres dent said. “I think that will do.” The men trooped to the door. “One moment!" The President was scribbling on a pac He looked up and smiled that boyis smile of his. “How do you spell ‘Merry’ ?"—H asked, —?P. L. JUDGE I y “Thar’s a revenuer!” “Yeah—see ef ye hain't git that rabbit with th’ same shot.” WUER / “Joe, have you embezzled that two dollars?” 7 comicbooks.com