A complete issue · 16 pages · 1896
Judge — September 12, 1896
# "Making a Monkey of Bryan" - Judge, September 12, 1896 This cartoon satirizes William Jennings Bryan, the 1896 Democratic presidential candidate, during his famous "Free Silver" campaign. The image shows a man (likely representing a political opponent or the establishment) literally making a monkey of Bryan—depicted as a small figure in the center being manipulated or mocked. The signs visible reference "Free Silver" and "Silver Tunes," alluding to Bryan's populist push for unlimited silver coinage, which his opponents ridiculed as economically reckless. The mountainous backdrop and rural setting suggest the Western mining interests supporting Bryan's platform. Judge magazine, Republican-leaning, used this imagery to mock Bryan as foolish and easily manipulated—a common attack on his candidacy during the 1896 election.
# "A Noxious Beverage" Cartoon Analysis This cartoon satirizes Spanish colonial administration in Cuba during a period of independence unrest. The central figure appears to be a Spanish official or representative forced to consume a bitter drink—representing Cuba itself as an indigestible "beverage" for Spain. The surrounding figures likely represent various stakeholders: Cuban insurgents, American interests, and Spanish authorities. The caption "A Noxious Beverage" suggests Spain finds Cuba an impossible colonial possession—costly, troublesome, and increasingly unpalatable to maintain. The context references Spain's deteriorating control over Cuba in the 1890s, when independence movements and American interest threatened Spanish colonial power. The cartoon mocks Spain's predicament: Cuba has become unbearable to hold but politically difficult to release, creating an impossible situation for Spanish leadership.
# Analysis of Judge Page 163 **Top Cartoon: "Didn't Wait to See Him"** A man representing a school commissioner or official encounters a boy near an office door. The satire concerns an undertaker located downstairs—the joke being that the boy didn't wait to consult the commissioner before visiting the undertaker, suggesting the official is so ineffectual or unpopular that people prefer dealing with death itself. **"The Drouth" Poem** A seasonal poem about drought conditions, depicting dry weather's effects on landscape and nature. **Bottom Cartoons** Two separate domestic scenes: "Blessed Reassurance" shows relief at a visitor's arrival; "Not on His Life" depicts a financial dispute over insurance—a man refusing to sign paperwork, likely resisting paying premiums or claiming coverage. The page combines political/social commentary with domestic humor typical of Judge magazine's satirical approach.
# Judge Magazine Page Analysis This page from Judge contains multiple unrelated humorous anecdotes and cartoons typical of the magazine's format. The main feature is "A Reverend Munchausen," satirizing a clergyman famous for tall tales. The reverend tells increasingly implausible stories—a calf that jumps higher as rails are added, driving through a fallen tree without stopping—demonstrating how habit and self-deception enable chronic lying. The satire targets both his compulsive dishonesty and the church council's ineffectual attempts to reform him. Secondary items include: - "Not Accurate": A séance medium fails—correctly guessing four children, then three, revealing the couple's actual situation - "How He Acted": A visual gag about a horse trying to bite a fly on opposite ends of its body - "Loafing Inclinations": An ethnic dialect joke about a Jewish shopkeeper and employee The cartoons employ period-typical stereotypes and slapstick humor. The overall tone is gentle mockery of human folly rather than political commentary.
