The politician stands next to two men in blue jackets. He yells and holds his fist up, while one man writes and the other man looks to the side. "Butter" here means to trick or defraud., Text: Strange what fools men will make of themselves, / For the sake of political sway; / And stranger still, that a man who delves, / Will condescend to butter his way., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man stands in front of a polling place. In one hand, he holds a sign that reads "Defeat the Traitors," and "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence," the latter being the state motto for Pennsylvania. He stretches out his other hand to offer a coin purse. His wrinkled clothes have holes, and his nose is dark and drippy (from drinking?). His apron reads: The regular ticket; the country will be saved., Text: To make frothy speeches, and electioneer, / There's no one doubts, but that you're a honey, / And always ready, so the people swear, / To serve your country for a little money., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The politician hides a bill marked "$100 bribe" behind his back, and he holds a bloodied knife marked "argument" in front of him. He stands at table with a contract on it. The border features a woman embracing a man; the pair resemble Commedia dell'arte characters. At the bottom is a pack of matches marked "Lucifer's matches.", Text: Oh! you're a political rough, rough, / With your bowie-knife, pistol, and bribe. / Now the ballot-box better can stuff, rough, / Than you and your elegant tribe. / And 't is you, who, unless I mistake, take / Proper measures for winning the trick, / And keep your own voters awake, wake, / By touching them with a sharp stick., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
