Puck — November 12, 1879 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Puck Magazine Page Analysis The main cartoon "What to Do with Him" presents a satirical poem about Samuel Tilden, the Democratic presidential candidate in 1880. The illustration shows a gallows with Tilden's bones hanging from it. The poem mocks Tilden's political failures and suggests he's politically "dead" — his candidacy rejected, his influence finished. References to "dodging his taxes" and "caught in it" allude to scandals surrounding him. The satire suggests Republicans should abandon him entirely rather than attempt political revival. The accompanying text and "Moral" advise Republicans to protect their electoral advantage before the election rather than leaving victory to chance. This reflects the intense partisan rhetoric of the 1880 campaign period.