The Wasp — 1894 — page 285: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes competition among San Francisco Democratic politicians for control of city resources and patronage. The central image shows multiple figures representing different political districts (labeled 2nd, 35th, 43rd, 44th, 50th Assembly Districts) fighting chaotically over "Max's Little Cart"—depicting them as squabbling over municipal spoils like children fighting for a toy. The "Wanted" notice in the upper left mocks the Democratic Party by advertising for a "smart boy" to care for "Max Popper's goat and cart" while he's away in Washington—suggesting negligent or absent leadership. The overall message criticizes local Democratic machine politics as petty, disorganized infighting driven by self-interest rather than public service.