A complete issue · 16 pages · 1883
Judge — December 8, 1883
# "The Judge" - December 8, 1883 This page contains a political cartoon titled "Teller's Indian Grocery" satirizing Secretary of the Interior Henry M. Teller's Native American policy. The cartoon depicts a shop scene where various Native American figures (caricatured with exaggerated features) appear distressed or malnourished. A well-dressed merchant (likely representing Teller or the government) stands behind a counter marked "NO TRUST." The caption states: "If we don't nourish these Indians well through the Winter, they won't be able to make war on us in the Spring." The satire critiques the government's inadequate provision of food and resources to Native Americans, suggesting the motivation wasn't humanitarian concern but rather preventing armed resistance. The "grocery" framing implies the government was stingy or unreliable in meeting basic Indigenous needs during harsh winter conditions.
# Explanation for Modern Readers This page contains three satirical pieces from *Judge* magazine: **"Our Dear Indians"** (main article): The editorial sarcastically criticizes U.S. Indian policy, specifically the practice of providing winter quarters and weapons ("contraband of war") to Native Americans during peacetime. The author notes that Indians raid settlers each spring, then return to reservations for government rations each winter—a cycle the writer finds absurd and costly. The piece argues Indians should be treated like common criminals, not subsidized combatants. **"Arthurs' Machine"**: This attacks President Chester A. Arthur (who assumed office after Guiteau assassinated Garfield in 1881). The satire suggests Arthur views the presidency as a tool for personal enrichment and favoring friends, prioritizing his own interests over the office's dignity. **The cartoon** (top left) appears to show a figure at a desk, likely representing editorial commentary. The overall tone reflects late-19th-century attitudes: skepticism toward Native Americans and criticism of executive corruption.
