The Wasp — 1891 — page 374: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features Hon. Thomas C. M'Rae, a Member of Congress from Arkansas, in "Our Gallery of American Statesmen." The accompanying article, written specifically for *The Wasp*, presents M'Rae's argument defending free silver coinage—allowing unlimited minting of silver coins to regulate their value. M'Rae argues that the government should authorize free silver coinage to increase money circulation and restore public confidence. He attacks critics who claim silver is "cheap money," contending that increased silver circulation benefits ordinary people and debtors. The page also includes an unrelated advertisement for Mrs. Graham's Hair Restorer (top right). The satire appears to lie in presenting M'Rae's pro-silver stance, a contentious 1890s economic debate dividing the country.