The Wasp — 1893 — page 214: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page combines satirical commentary with poetry rather than traditional political cartoons. The illustration shows a man posting a "Round About" advertisement—likely satirizing San Francisco's commercial culture or journalism practices. The text attacks specific figures: Director Clinton (of the School Board) for corruption and taking bribes to secure positions; and Smith, a missionary who allegedly defrauded Hawaiian natives, claiming David Kalakaua (Hawaiian king) was "no better." The "Better Than Gold" poem uses moral language to critique greed and materialism among the wealthy and powerful, suggesting San Francisco's establishment values profit over ethics. Without clearer historical context about these specific officials and events, the precise targets remain somewhat unclear, though the general critique targets institutional corruption and hypocrisy.