Puck — November 19, 1879 — page 18: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes corruption among New York City's newly elected aldermen (city council members). The image depicts several figures in formal dress gathered around what appears to be a desk or counter, with one figure prominently displayed holding what looks like money or documents. The satire suggests these elected officials are primarily interested in personal financial gain rather than public service. The exaggerated caricatures and their positioning—seemingly focused on acquiring wealth—implies widespread graft and bribery among municipal government. Without specific dates or names visible, this represents Puck magazine's recurring theme of mocking urban political corruption, a major satirical focus during the Gilded Age when city politics were notoriously dominated by patronage systems and embezzlement.