Puck — January 9, 1878 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "Mayor Smith Ely Weakens on Himself" **Date & Publication**: Puck Magazine, January 9, 1878 **Main Figure**: Mayor Smith Ely of New York, depicted as a man in formal dress holding an "Indictment" and "Police Commission" document. **The Satire**: The cartoon criticizes Mayor Ely for weakening his own position or authority. He's shown gesturing defensively while confronted by what appears to be a demon or devil figure (likely representing corruption or criminal forces), surrounded by scattered papers labeled "Police Commission" and related documents. **The Point**: The satire suggests the Mayor is undermining his own anti-corruption efforts or police reform initiatives through inconsistency or lack of resolve. Rather than effectively combating the forces of corruption, he's portrayed as compromising his own stated position—hence "weakens on himself."