The Wasp — 1895 — page 90: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical page combines political commentary with humor columns. The main "Steam Beer Politics" cartoon depicts a figure (likely a California politician) standing on a beer barrel, referencing the populist "Steam Beer" political movement or candidate. The accompanying article discusses Democratic politics, mentioning figures like Petruchio McCladie and Governor Budd, suggesting internal party conflicts and patronage disputes typical of late 19th-century California politics. The other sections—"Theblood Curdling Yell," "Nine Things a Baby Can Do," and "A Marvel in Transportation"—are lighter satirical pieces mocking various social absurdities. The overall tone is cynical about political corruption and appointment-trading common during this era. The exact historical moment remains unclear without publication date context.