Puck, 1879-09-03 · page 3 of 19
Puck — September 3, 1879 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Puck Magazine Page 403 Analysis This page contains three distinct articles with satirical commentary: 1. **"Crookedness in Calvary"** attacks Catholic priests for financial malfeasance, accusing them of using religion as cover for embezzlement and fraud. It references a specific scandal involving a priest named Cropley in the Scranton diocese who allegedly misappropriated church funds. 2. **"The Political Teetotum of California"** criticizes Denis Kearney, a California political leader, for inflammatory rhetoric and mob incitement. The "teetotum" metaphor suggests his unpredictable, spinning politics. 3. **"Fitznoodle in America"** features a cartoon character commenting on American social pretensions, particularly mocking the aspirations of newly wealthy Philadelphia and New York families trying to establish themselves among high society through affected cultural pursuits. The satire targets corruption, demagoguery, and social climbing.