The Wasp — 1890 — page 134: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two distinct sections: social gossip about prominent Californians (left column) and a political cartoon (center/right). **The Cartoon:** depicts two men in conversation—likely Governor George C. Perkins (mentioned in the text) and Marion Biggs, a political figure. The dialogue reveals Perkins explaining his opposition to the "Freeman bill," which would have regulated railroad rates in California. Biggs appears skeptical of Perkins' justification. **The Satire:** mocks Perkins for claiming to have voted against the Freeman bill due to procedural concerns while actually protecting railroad interests—a common political dodge. The cartoon suggests Perkins used a technicality to mask what was really a vote favoring powerful business interests over public regulation. **Social Context:** The page reflects late-19th-century California politics, where railroad regulation remained contentious.