Puck — December 24, 1879 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: Puck Magazine, December 24, 1879 This cartoon satirizes the Police Commissioners' election. The silhouetted figure juggling playing cards (showing clubs and spades suits with military officers) represents political maneuvering. The caption "Police Commissioners' Euchre—Make It Next!" references euchre, a card game, suggesting the commissioners are "playing games" with their selection process. The text states "He polished their heads so carefully, that now he is the ruler of the B.C.B." (Board of City Commissioners, likely). This implies someone—possibly a political operative or reformer—has manipulated the commissioners so thoroughly that he now controls the board. The overall point: the police commission appointment process is a dishonest game of political manipulation rather than genuine governance.