A complete issue · 16 pages · 1890
Judge — February 15, 1890
# Political Cartoon Analysis: "A Foolhardy Attempt to Stop the Fair" This February 1890 *Judge* cartoon satirizes opposition to the upcoming World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago's 1893 World's Fair). The massive globe labeled "WORLD'S FAIR 1893" rolls downhill like an unstoppable force, while figures below attempt futilely to halt it—one wielding a rifle, another gesturing from above in a top hat. The caption—"Look out, boys, she's a-coming!!"—treats the fair as an inevitable, feminine force of progress that cannot be stopped by protesters or critics. The cartoon mocks those opposing the fair's construction and expense as foolish and powerless against modernization. The sweeping artistic style emphasizes the fair's momentum and cultural significance.
# Analysis of Judge Magazine Page 300 The main cartoon titled "As They Go In to Dinner" depicts a social interaction between two figures—a man in formal attire and a woman in an evening dress. The dialogue references "Miss Atterbury" and concerns whether her grandmother is "industrious," with the man claiming he's "always mighty things, you know?" The surrounding text discusses political matters including tariff revision, Democratic and Republican legislative positions, and economic policy debates of the era. References mention treasury relief, free trade, and tariffs on imported goods. Without clear identifying labels on the cartoon itself, the specific figures remain unclear. The page appears to satirize both social pretense and political economic debates typical of the Gilded Age or Progressive Era, though the exact historical moment is uncertain from this image alone.
# Page 301: Judge Magazine Political Satire This page contains several political cartoons and commentary from Judge magazine. The top cartoons labeled "RATS!" mock political figures—one depicts "Disherust" commenting on a painting, the other shows "The Pest" with someone saying "He knows now!" The text discusses minority rights, Southern race relations, and Canadian annexation concerns. One section references the post office at Utica, N.Y., and Democratic Party failures. Another criticizes Ohio politician Campbell's views on Australian ballot systems. The lower cartoon "A Wrong Application" shows a domestic scene with dialogue about gloves and clasps, appearing to be social satire rather than political commentary. The final section "Grover's Valor" discusses Cleveland's political strategy regarding tariffs and party conflicts, praising his discretionary restraint. The overall page mixes political criticism with social humor typical of 1890s Judge magazine.
