For reference: the original comic is from The Outbursts of Everett True, which ran from 1905 to the 1920s.
He's a simple man - he sees (what is in his view) injustice, and takes immediate violent action. Not letting an old lady sit on the street car? POW! wearing your tall hat in the opera? POW! Whipping your horse? POW! His takes haven't aged 100% well, but he's pretty close, all things considered.