Puck — October 24, 1877 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "How to Land Goods Free of Duty" This Puck cartoon satirizes **smuggling and customs evasion** in 1877. The image depicts men unloading contraband cargo from a ship, with boxes labeled "Bengal Tiger" and barrels marked "On Strike" and what appears to be "K" (possibly liquor or other taxable goods). The title's sarcastic caption suggests this depicts an actual method for avoiding tariffs—likely a commentary on widespread smuggling practices or corrupt customs officials. The "Bengal Tiger" reference may allude to exotic luxury goods, while the "On Strike" label possibly references contemporary labor disputes. The cartoon criticizes either smugglers' brazen tactics or government ineffectiveness at preventing duty evasion, a significant economic and political issue during the Gilded Age.