The Wasp — 1878 — page 106: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The main illustration depicts **Senator J. W. Bones**, identified in the accompanying text as a successor to Nathan Porter, late Senator from Alameda County. The portrait is a caricature emphasizing his facial features in the exaggerated style typical of 19th-century satirical magazines. The text describes Bones as a carpenter-turned-politician who won an "overwhelming majority" despite opposition from both old political parties. He's praised as a "consistent Christian" and "worthy citizen" with a leading role in the Local Option movement against alcohol. The satire appears gentle—more celebratory than mocking—suggesting *The Wasp* approved of this working-class politician's election and reformist positions.