The Wasp — 1894 — page 511: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features portraits and biographical sketches of three California politicians: Mr. Coombs of Napa, Hon. James V. Coleman, and Hon. Frank McCoppin (labeled as "Postmaster of San Francisco"). The satirical commentary mocks Coombs as an obscure political aspirant seeking the governorship despite being unknown. Coleman is praised as an intellectual fit for public life. McCoppin receives backhanded praise—he's noted as an accomplished Democrat with executive experience, but the text suggests his appointment as Postmaster was politically controversial, with the implication that Democratic Party infighting damaged his credibility in Washington. The small cartoon "Our Inglorious Climate" is unrelated topical humor about San Francisco's weather. The satire targets California's factional Democratic politics and patronage appointments of this era.