The Wasp — 1888 — page 80: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page mixes political commentary with advertisements and theatrical notices. The main satirical content addresses Kansas politics, specifically Governor St. John and Prohibition. The text mocks St. John's attempt to make Prohibition a presidential campaign issue, suggesting it won't appeal to voters who prefer Napa Soda Water—a humorous dig implying ordinary people care more about beverages than moral crusades. The left illustration (captioned "At the Bank Street Theater") appears to reference a specific theatrical production, though the exact meaning is unclear without additional context. The page demonstrates *The Wasp*'s typical approach: combining local political ridicule with cultural commentary and commercial advertisements, targeting educated San Francisco readers familiar with regional political debates of the era.