The Wasp — 1877 — page 149: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The cartoon depicts a bird (identified in the caption as the "Contra Costa Neer") falling or descending from a fence. The accompanying article criticizes the *Contra Costa* newspaper for abandoning its previous neutrality and now actively supporting the Democratic party. The satire mocks the publication's inconsistency: it had previously remained neutral ("without an organ"), but has now "come down off the fence" by endorsing Democratic candidates and positions. The bird image literalizes the metaphorical phrase "sitting on the fence" (remaining neutral), showing it tumbling down—suggesting the newspaper's credibility has suffered through this partisan shift. The piece suggests this reversal was motivated by self-interest rather than principled conviction.