The Wasp — 1889 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: The Wasp, January 26, 1889 This cartoon satirizes California politics and officeholding. The main image depicts a woman (representing California) being pulled in opposing directions by male politicians holding signs reading "LET US HAVE MORE OFFICES" and "MORE OFFICES MORE SPOILS!" The cartoon critiques the patronage system—politicians' demands for government positions and the corrupt practice of distributing offices as rewards to political allies rather than based on merit. The caption "CALIFORNIA: I wonder if they will divide me this year" suggests California itself is being treated as plunder to be divided among competing political factions. The caricatured figures appear to represent different political interests or power brokers competing for government positions during this period of California politics.