The Wasp — 1878 — page 50: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* contains satirical commentary rather than a political cartoon. The main illustration depicts a domestic scene where a woman (appearing to be interviewing or lecturing a housemaid) discusses employment expectations. The text mocks various San Francisco political figures and social issues of the era, including criticism of Colonel Kennedy regarding Chinese labor disputes, Senator Poore's legal fees, and debates over desert irrigation policy. The illustration's accompanying quotes emphasize strict household management expectations—the employer demanding servants work specific hours, handle domestic duties perfectly, and accept low wages. This satirizes class tensions and the exploitation of domestic workers, reflecting broader Progressive-era debates about labor rights and working conditions.