Life — November 3, 1887 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# The National Handicap For This political cartoon depicts a horse race competition titled "The National Handicap For." The visible participants listed are: - **Grove Cleveland** - assigned "Scratch" (meaning no handicap) - **Jack Sherman** - assigned "Fifty Yards" (a disadvantage) - **Hal George** and **Davy Hill** - also competing The cartoon shows one figure with a telescope or spyglass aimed at what appears to be a distant finish line or structure, while another figure stands ready to race. The "handicap" format suggests this is satirizing an actual political race or competition among these figures, likely from the late 19th century based on the artistic style. The different handicaps assigned imply commentary on their relative advantages or disadvantages in whatever competition is being depicted—probably electoral or political in nature.