The Wasp — 1876 — page 52: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains primarily text articles rather than cartoons. The main pieces discuss California politics during the 1876 election cycle. **"Governor Hendricks' Speech"** criticizes Indiana Governor Thomas A. Hendricks, likely the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, for his speech attacking Republican Reconstruction policies and civil service reform. The article sarcastically defends Republican positions. **"The Independent Party and Its Cause"** discusses the independent/reform faction splitting from Republicans, with figures named Schurz, Booth, Bidwell, and others. The text suggests these reformers abandoned the Republican party over patronage and corruption issues. The satire targets political corruption, patronage systems, and party infighting during the contentious post-Reconstruction era. No clear cartoons are visible on this particular page.