A complete issue · 16 pages · 1887
Judge — October 1, 1887
# "Questioning the Sphinx" - Judge Magazine, October 1, 1887 This political cartoon depicts the Great Sphinx of Giza as an enormous, enigmatic figure looming over a group of small Democratic editors (identifiable by their labels). The editors surround the Sphinx, frantically waving documents and papers, questioning it: "Are you a candidate for President, or are you not? Answer!" The satire plays on the Sphinx's famous unsolvable riddle and its stoic silence. The cartoonist uses the Sphinx as a metaphor for an unclear Democratic presidential position or candidate—likely referencing internal party confusion or evasiveness during the 1888 presidential election cycle. The Democrats appear desperate for clear answers from their party leadership, but receive only the Sphinx's characteristically inscrutable silence.
# "One Gleam of Consolation" This cartoon depicts two women in what appears to be a domestic interior. Based on the caption and surrounding text references to "Mrs. Johnstone" and "Deacon Swope," this likely satirizes a contemporary domestic or social scandal. The joke appears to concern marital infidelity or relationship trouble—one woman consoles the other, with dialogue suggesting that despite personal misfortune, there's grim satisfaction in knowing "it's very hard to loose de liggins." This seems to reference lower-class domestic humor or working-class speech patterns. The surrounding editorial content criticizes various political figures including Cleveland, Grant, and Sherman, suggesting this issue engaged with 1880s politics and social commentary through both cartooning and written satire. Without clearer identification of the specific scandal or people referenced, precise context remains uncertain.
