The Wasp — 1889 — page 410: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1889 political cartoon satirizes New York Democratic demands that a figure labeled "Christopher" run their political "machine." The central figure holds a sign reading "PLEASE BECOME BOSS OF NEWYORK," while surrounding politicians brandish various implements labeled "PLEASE RUN THEIR MACHINE." The cartoon appears to reference Christopher Columbus (given the "Christopher" reference and the title's wordplay), though the specific political figure intended remains unclear from the image alone. The satire mocks Democratic Party infighting or recruitment efforts—depicting party operatives pressuring someone to accept leadership of their political organization, shown humorously as they literally try to make him operate a mechanical device.