The Wasp — 1895 — page 110: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical piece mocks California Democratic senators over their votes on tariff and monopoly legislation. The text criticizes Senator Daggett for his unclear record on anti-monopoly issues, and Senators Biggey, Burke, and Gesford for similarly evasive positions—suggesting they prioritize political survival over principle. The "steam beer" title and barrel illustration reference San Francisco's working-class beverage, sarcastically implying these politicians lack substance or integrity. The article details their political maneuvering, including alleged deals with the "Mint basement" (likely corruption involving government resources) and complaints they prioritize their own careers over constituents' interests. The cartoons below mock politicians caught between competing pressures, visualizing the hypocrisy the text condemns.