Puck — April 16, 1879 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Puck page satirizes corruption in New York City infrastructure and commerce, circa late 1800s. The top panel depicts "10 cent Aristocrats" being escorted by the 5 cent Tammany Hall machine on the Elevated Road—mocking wealthy elites' complicity with corrupt political boss rule. The middle section, "How the Milliners and the Hatters are Benefited," shows artisans gaining from kickback schemes tied to public works. The bottom panels titled "Skipping the Skids" depict workers literally moving heavy barrels, likely satirizing how ordinary laborers bear the physical burden while corrupt politicians and businessmen profit from graft and public contracts. The overall message: New York's infrastructure serves corruption rather than the public good.