The Wasp — 1895 — page 290: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes a conflict between **John Daggett** (depicted with the large head at top), California's Mint Superintendent, and Democratic political rivals including **Senator Higgy** and others. The text describes how Daggett was "kicked" and his "job job washing the dirty linen of the Democracy in public." The chaotic scene shows figures literally tumbling down steps at the U.S. Mint building—visualizing political payback or retaliation. The caption "The Gallant Old War-Horse of the Democracy Evens Up Things" suggests Daggett is exacting revenge on "amicable statesmen who played him false at Sacramento." The humor lies in depicting abstract political conflict as physical, slapstick violence, mocking Democratic infighting and Sacramento politics circa the 1890s-1900s.