The Wasp — 1896 — page 280: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The page features two portrait photographs and accompanying satire. The left image shows a man with a distinctive white beard and mustache, captioned "IS THE MAYOR INSANE?" with a quote questioning whether the mayor makes shameful deals. The right shows S. Homer Hersley, identified as "The San Francisco bass-baritone." The main text discusses 500 Hotel Men's Mutual Benefit Association members traveling to California on pleasure tours, where they'll be treated as guests by Southern California Hotel Association. The satirical caption "A PERVERTED PROVERB" (with an accompanying cartoon) appears to mock local hospitality politics. The article emphasizes California tourism benefits and wine industry promotion, suggesting the satire critiques how civic leaders profit from or manipulate tourist visits and local resources for personal gain.