The Wasp — 1890 — page 257: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains sports gossip and political commentary typical of the era. The main cartoon, "A Beggar's Toilet," shows a beggar at a mirror, with the caption suggesting he'll "give up the business" if people won't give money—satirizing panhandling or perhaps commenting on social welfare. The text discusses local boxing matches (Mitchell vs. La Blanche), baseball league developments, and California teachers' conventions. A notable section covers Mr. Waterman's "gubernatorial boom" collapsing after a poorly-received political debut, where he was apparently heckled so intensely ("shouted themselves hoarse") that his candidacy effectively ended. The "Illustrated Personals" section includes satirical character sketches, typical of The Wasp's humorous gossip format targeting local figures and situations.