A complete issue · 16 pages · 1885
Judge — June 27, 1885
# Analysis of "The Judge" Cartoon, June 27, 1885 This satirical cartoon depicts a domestic scene with two men and a cat. The verse jokes about "Jack Sprat," referencing the nursery rhyme about a couple where one ate fat and one ate lean, with their cat cleaning the plate between them. The men wear labels suggesting they represent different economic or political positions ("GOLD," "SILVER" visible on their clothing). The cartoon appears to be commentary on late-19th-century monetary policy debates—specifically the gold versus silver standard controversy that dominated American politics in the 1880s-1890s. The "cat" likely represents the working class or public, positioned between opposing factions and metaphorically "licked the platter clean"—suggesting ordinary people suffered while political elites fought over currency policy.
# Analysis of Judge Magazine Page This page contains two distinct political commentaries from what appears to be the 1880s-90s era: **"Burlesque Statesmanship"** attacks British Prime Minister **Gladstone** for making beer taxation—rather than serious imperial matters like Afghanistan—the issue that caused his electoral defeat. The satirist argues this apparent loss is actually a clever strategic retreat that will vindicate Gladstone historically, while his Tory opponents (represented by "John Bull") celebrate prematurely over a trivial victory. **"The Great Usurpation"** critiques U.S. financial policy, claiming the government has betrayed the people's will regarding **bimetallism** (using both silver and gold as currency). The piece alleges a conspiracy between Treasury officials and New York banking syndicates to monopolize gold while removing silver from circulation, thereby strangling trade and confidence. This reflects real 1890s debate over monetary policy and populist suspicions of banker influence over government. Both pieces employ sarcasm to expose what the author sees as political hypocrisy and betrayal of democratic principle.
