The Wasp — 1890 — page 169: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* satirizes political patronage and bureaucratic inefficiency in Washington. The main cartoon depicts two women in conversation—one appears to be Mrs. Millins speaking to Mrs. Finnegan about poor Mickey and employment struggles. The accompanying text criticizes Senator Stanford for prolonged indecision regarding a U.S. Marshal appointment and discusses W.G. Long of Tuolumne's selection for the position. The satire targets the slow, politically-motivated nature of governmental appointments and the way politicians use such positions as favors while ignoring qualified candidates. The cartoon illustrates ordinary citizens' frustration with how political patronage affects working-class families seeking stable employment through government connections.