comicbooks.com Join Free

A complete, restored issue of Judge from 1893-04-08 — all 16 pages of color political cartoons and topical humor, free to page through at comicbooks.com.

On the cover: # The Circus at Washington Opens This Judge cartoon from April 8, 1893 satirizes political circus-like chaos in Washington, D.C. The image shows two figures outside a "Grand Democratic Circus" tent labeled "Greatest Show on Earth." One character (identified as "Dave Hill" in the caption) suggests to his companion Murphy that since they can't get inside to see the main spectacle, they should "have some fun on the outside" and "whack him, Murphy!" The satire mocks the Democratic administration's chaotic governance as entertainment—a literal circus. The contrast between the dignified proceedings visible inside the tent and the rowdy behavior outside suggests public frustration with political disorder. This likely references early Cleveland administration turmoil during the 1893 economic depression.

🖼️ Every page has a plain-English note on what you’re looking at — the figures, the references, the point of the satire.

← Back to Judge: The Rival in Color All exhibitions

A complete issue · 16 pages · 1893

Judge — April 8, 1893

1893-04-08 · Free to read

Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 1
1 / 16
What you’re looking at · open this page on its own ↗

# The Circus at Washington Opens This Judge cartoon from April 8, 1893 satirizes political circus-like chaos in Washington, D.C. The image shows two figures outside a "Grand Democratic Circus" tent labeled "Greatest Show on Earth." One character (identified as "Dave Hill" in the caption) suggests to his companion Murphy that since they can't get inside to see the main spectacle, they should "have some fun on the outside" and "whack him, Murphy!" The satire mocks the Democratic administration's chaotic governance as entertainment—a literal circus. The contrast between the dignified proceedings visible inside the tent and the rowdy behavior outside suggests public frustration with political disorder. This likely references early Cleveland administration turmoil during the 1893 economic depression.

Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 2
2 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 3
3 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 4
4 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 5
5 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 6
6 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 7
7 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 8
8 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 9
9 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 10
10 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 11
11 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 12
12 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 13
13 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 14
14 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 15
15 / 16
Judge — April 8, 1893 — page 16
16 / 16

Browse this issue page by page

Each page has its own page — the cartoon, who’s in it, and what the satire means.

  1. Page 1 # The Circus at Washington Opens This Judge cartoon from April 8, 1893 satirizes political circus-like chaos in Washington, D.C. The image shows two figures out…
  2. Page 2 View this page →
  3. Page 3 View this page →
  4. Page 4 View this page →
  5. Page 5 View this page →
  6. Page 6 View this page →
  7. Page 7 View this page →
  8. Page 8 View this page →
  9. Page 9 View this page →
  10. Page 10 View this page →
  11. Page 11 View this page →
  12. Page 12 View this page →
  13. Page 13 View this page →
  14. Page 14 View this page →
  15. Page 15 View this page →
  16. Page 16 View this page →