Why Do They Do It?, 1888
Above, detail from the rear cover cartoon of the September 19th, 1888 issue of Puck magazine. In this section close-up, we see the prior election’s (1884′s) Republican nominee for President, James G. Blaine — the Victorian Age’s equivalent of Newt Gingrich in corruption and scandal — leading a bound (by monopoly interests) Republican Party by it’s nose. Artist Frederick Burr Opper asks the question, “Why does the Republican Party allow itself to be led like this any longer?” One-hundred and twenty-four years later, we’re still asking this question.
Below, the complete back page of cartoons, collectively titled, Why Do They Do It? — Things that Puzzle “Puck”.
Click on either the above or below, to view the full page in detail.
ElectionCartoons NYPuck
— Doug
