The Wasp — 1890 — page 89: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The main cartoon depicts a chaotic street scene labeled "EDITORIAL" where multiple figures appear to be fighting or brawling. The illustration criticizes San Francisco's inadequate police response to violent crime, particularly assassinations and murders involving concealed weapons. The accompanying editorial argues that San Francisco's murder problem stems not from the perpetrators themselves but from systemic failure—lethargic law enforcement and lenient courts. The text advocates for stricter enforcement of gun-carrying laws and suggests capital punishment as a deterrent. The cartoon's visual chaos represents the editorial's central claim: without stronger police action and judicial consequences, lawlessness will continue unchecked in the city's streets.