The Wasp — 1877 — page 188: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a conflict over water rights or water management in San Francisco. A well-dressed man labeled "UNPAID" sits on a pipe marked "ESPRINGM[?]," attempting to control the water flow. A woman (representing Spring or a water authority) gestures in frustration while holding what appears to be official documents. The caption—"YOU TURN OFF THE WATER, BUT I WILL TURN IT ON AGAIN"—suggests a dispute between officials and citizens or authorities over water access or billing. The "unpaid" label indicates the cartoon likely satirizes someone refusing to pay water bills or taxes while attempting to control the public water supply. This reflects 19th-century tensions over municipal utilities, corporate control, and civic obligation in rapidly developing San Francisco.