The Wasp — 1887 — page 124: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

**Publication:** The Wasp, San Francisco, August 13, 1887 **The Cartoon:** Two men in a small rowboat struggle against turbulent waves near a dock. One man (left) rows while the other (right) points ahead, appearing to give directions or warnings. **Caption:** "MORROW: If you row AGAINST me now, Jim, we are both goners." **Interpretation:** This is a political cartoon using maritime metaphor. The two figures appear to represent political figures in conflict—the "same boat" suggests they share a common predicament or constituency despite their disagreement. The warning that rowing "against" each other will doom both implies the cartoonist is critiquing politicians for infighting when cooperation is necessary for survival. The specific identities of "Morrow" and "Jim" are unclear without additional historical context from 1887 San Francisco politics.