The Wasp — 1896 — page 914: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon from *The Wasp* depicts a caricatured military figure labeled "Sperry" being kicked, with the figure's head shown flying off in an inset panel labeled "Decapitated!" The main figure is drawn in an exaggerated style wearing military dress with epaulettes, suggesting a high-ranking officer. According to the caption, this concerns "Oraught Governor" declining to accept Staff Colonel George B. Sperry's resignation, citing his "blatant demagogism" and lack of military propriety. The cartoon satirizes Sperry's conduct as so offensive it warrants literal decapitation—a dark joke suggesting his dismissal is thoroughly justified and deserved.