What is Plunkitt's view on the how political machines operate? How does he say they are affecting people?

Plunkitt's view on how political machines operate is that "they look after their friends. They take care of the people close to them that they call friends."

Plunkitt says that they are not hurting people but rather they give opportunities to people to make honest graft"

Explanation:

The above excerpt is culled from George Washington Plunkitt's speech - Plunkitt Of Tammany Hall. George Washington Plunkitt was a senator and a Tammany philosopher. He delivered this his plain speech on practical politics from his rostrum - the New York County Court house bootblack stand.

In his speech, he spoke about how he made honest fortune from politics.

the iconic cartoon that you are talking about is probably a man standing on top of a country with his legs spread wide. 

this cartoon suggests that europeans are powerful enough to subdue an entire continent. this was a satirical image that was drawn during the time of the colonization of the british empire in africa.

this image was inspired by the plans of the british empire to create telegraph lines all over africa promoting the further spread of its colonies through faster communication. the picture depicts the colonial mentality of the british empire in general as well as the struggle of africans to claim their own land. hope this ! (: