The Wasp — 1896 — page 853: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon from *The Wasp* depicts the 1894 San Francisco mayoral race. On the left, supporters hold signs promoting "Dimond" (reading "Dimond Pays No Taxes, Vote for Him") and "Hurrah for Boodle"—references to corruption and bribery. The phrase "Honest Vote of San Francisco" appears ironically across a cliff edge. On the right, a man labeled "Independence" sits in a boat, apparently sailing away from the corrupt political scene. The cartoon critiques the mayoral election as hopelessly corrupt, with candidates who either dodge taxes or engage in "boodle" (kickbacks/graft). The departing figure represents honest citizens abandoning the city's politics as unredeeemable. The caption references "the talented and patriotic young Democratic candidate for Mayor, James D."—likely James Duval Phelan, though cut off.