The Wasp — 1877 — page 238: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains three political opinion pieces rather than illustrated cartoons. The articles attack California Democratic corruption and defend gold/silver currency standards: 1. **"Democratic Wash-Day"** criticizes the Democratic Party for harboring corrupt figures like Senator Sargent and Boss Carr, calling for internal reform. 2. **"The Chronicle and the Corrupt Federal Ring"** attacks the *Chronicle* newspaper for potentially supporting Boss Carr's political machine and federal corruption in Kern County. 3. **"The Money Question"** defends gold and silver monetary standards against paper currency proposals, arguing metal-backed currency provides stability and prevents government overreach. The satire targets Democratic political machines, newspaper complicity in corruption, and inflationary monetary policies—typical Gilded Age reform journalism concerns.