Judge — October 30, 1920

# Analysis This page is **primarily a Camel cigarette advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. The ad features a camel (the brand mascot) with the slogan "You tell 'em, Camels, you've got the quality!" The imagery shows cigarette packages and emphasizes Camels' blend of Turkish and domestic tobaccos, marketed as giving a "mellow mild body." The text uses period-appropriate advertising language ("smoke-wise," "bank on Camels") typical of early-to-mid 20th century tobacco marketing. The phrase "When you flash a deck of Camels you tell the world you're smoke-wise" reflects how cigarettes were then openly promoted as status symbols. There is no discernible political cartoon or satire present—this is straightforward vintage commercial advertising from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

# Judge Magazine, October 30, 1920 This cartoon satirizes spiritualism and reincarnation beliefs that were popular in the early 20th century. A woman sits at her vanity while a man (labeled "Mr. Crommie") stands nearby. The dialogue mocks the spiritualist notion that one might be reincarnated as something different in an afterlife. The joke hinges on the woman's flippant response: she wishes she could become "the transmitter on your telephone"—suggesting she wants to literally be inside the telephone so she can monitor her male companion's conversations. This reflects period anxieties about relationship trust and control, while simultaneously ridiculing both spiritualism and the telephone as technologies that intrude on privacy. The cartoon illustrates 1920s skepticism toward supernatural beliefs.

# Political Cartoon Analysis This cartoon by Ellinor Hoover satirizes comic strip characters entering electoral politics. The central figures appear to be popular newspaper comic characters (identifiable by their distinctive styles) carrying campaign signs and marching as if running for office. The joke mocks the idea of fictional comic characters—known for humorous, often absurd situations—competing seriously for Congress and other positions. Signs visible include "FOR CONGRESS" and references to various platforms. The satire likely critiques either the quality of actual political candidates (comparing them unfavorably to comic strips) or comments on how entertainment figures were entering politics. The contrasting "serious" observers at the page's top emphasizes the absurdity of this scenario, suggesting that comic-strip logic applied to real governance would be ridiculous.

# Analysis of "Put Yourself in the Poor Girl's Place" This page presents a serialized thriller story by Beecher Hilton, not political satire. The cartoon at top, titled "The Poison and the Antidote," depicts a man at a ballot box speaking with a woman—likely contrasting corrupting influences (poison) with corrective ones (antidote) in voting contexts. The story itself follows Peachetta McMun, a servant girl experiencing supernatural horror: mysterious voices, bloodhounds, and a sinister male figure (Larry Coker, described as a "rakish dope-fiend") emerging from darkness. The narrative emphasizes her helplessness and fear, designed to create suspense for readers. The "up-to-the-minute thriller" format reflects early 1900s popular entertainment mixing melodrama with gothic elements, targeting readers seeking sensational serialized fiction.

# Analysis of Judge Magazine Page This page contains a serialized fiction story titled "The Literary Hack" by Harold Sexton, featuring two illustrated scenes. The top cartoon shows a man and woman in an animated conversation, with dialogue about "dancing against my will" and references to "the Voice"—apparently a supernatural or fantastical plot element. The bottom illustration depicts an older man at a desk, captioned "Let's see; who's she say to vote for?" This appears to be satirizing a writer or journalist character who cynically manufactures opinions or political positions. The page also includes a sidebar listing books supposedly written or reviewed by the hack, satirizing prolific but mediocre literary output. The overall satire targets lazy, commercially-driven writers who produce work without genuine merit or conviction.

# Explanation for Modern Readers **Top Cartoon:** A woman named Mary Jones, who lost a gubernatorial election, proposes marriage to her opponent Nathaniel now that he's defeated her. The satire mocks women's political ambition as insincere—suggesting she only wanted power, and now settles for marriage as a consolation prize. This reflects early 20th-century attitudes dismissing women's serious political aspirations. **"The Hobo Angel":** A poem about a deceased vagrant who unexpectedly enters heaven but finds it unbearable. The satire critiques both paradise and the poor: heaven's perfection (no hunger, pain, or need) removes the hobo's entire identity and purpose. He escapes back to earth, preferring struggle to purposeless comfort. It's darkly humorous social commentary on class and meaning. **Bottom Cartoon:** A speaker offers to answer questions; someone shouts "What time is it?"—trivial compared to his serious address. It satirizes audience inattention or heckling at public speeches.

# "Heskiah Hoosis Starts the Kitchen Range with Gasoline" This is a humorous domestic accident cartoon by Johnny Gruelle. The title character, Heskiah Hoosis (a comedic rustic name), attempts to ignite a kitchen stove using gasoline—an extremely dangerous and ill-advised method. The resulting explosion has created spectacular chaos in what appears to be a small town or village street, with dozens of townspeople, animals, vehicles, and debris scattered everywhere in comic pandemonium. The satire mocks rural ignorance about modern appliances and the misuse of flammable liquids. It's also commentary on the early gasoline era's hazards, when people often lacked proper instruction for handling fuel. The exaggerated destruction and crowded scene of chaos represent the absurd consequences of such recklessness, played for comedic effect typical of Judge magazine's satirical humor.

# "Starling in Quest of a Publisher" This satirical story mocks both struggling writers and publishing gatekeepers. Starling writes a poem, believes it's a masterpiece, then faces fifty rejections from editors—whom he bitterly characterizes as "simpletons," "idiots," and "knaves" in a "gigantic conspiracy against Art." After thirty years of failed schemes (bribing editors with dinners, drinks, and gifts to their children), Starling's final strategy succeeds: he disguises himself as a child by shaving his whiskers, getting a Buster Brown haircut, and wearing knickerbockers with a bow-tie. The publisher, apparently charmed by this childish presentation, accepts the poem for "a million dollars." The satire cuts multiple ways: mocking both the editor's apparent gullibility and suggesting that literary merit matters less than presentation or novelty. The "moral"—"The Wages of Youth are High"—implies youth (or its appearance) sells better than genuine talent.

# Political Cartoons and Humor from Judge Magazine This page contains several satirical pieces: **"With Her Gift"** is a catty society poem mocking shallow aristocratic women—specifically their gossip, materialism, and passive-aggressive gift-giving. The speaker feigns politeness while criticizing the recipient's engagement and fiancé. **"Modern"** is a brief joke about a train robbery targeting doctors' prescriptions—satirizing either prescription drug abuse or the medical profession's prevalence. **The main cartoon** shows a politician with a campaign poster reading "Vote for Lem Lunkhead." The caption mockingly asks whether their candidate lacks qualifications for high office, but claims "With them posters and that slogan we can't lose!"—satirizing how political campaigns rely on catchy slogans rather than actual merit. **"The Bishop's Reasons"** satirizes arguments for admitting women preachers, presenting increasingly absurd justifications that undermine the actual case for gender equality in the church. The remaining pieces offer light domestic humor about wives, orchestras, and gasoline purchases—typical period comedy without obvious political content.

# Judge Magazine Political Commentary This page features an editorial by Sam Blythe (from *The Saturday Evening Post*) endorsing Warren G. Harding for president. The cartoon header depicts a judge's bench with various figures, likely representing political factions or interests. Blythe praises Harding as embodying what Americans want: order, dignity, and adherence to rules—contrasting him with recent progressive excess. The text criticizes the "spirit of go as you please" pervading American life, blaming it for labor unrest, mayoral corruption (likely NYC Mayor Jimmy Walker), cubism, jazz, and Soviet-style radicalism. The satire targets progressive reformers and individualists who reject traditional rules. Blythe argues strict governance is necessary because "not every individual can be trusted"—justifying laws, jails, and asylums. A secondary section attacks New York City government corruption and tax-eaters, connecting local Democratic mismanagement to national moral decline. The overall message: America needs Harding's conservative, rule-based approach to restore order after years of progressive chaos.