The Wasp — 1890 — page 152: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon critiques San Francisco's Park Police through exaggerated caricature. A mustachioed officer—identified as "Chief Crowley" by the caption—is depicted as a buffoonish figure mounted on a rocking horse rather than a real horse, holding a telescope and brandishing a document labeled "Park Police." The caption quotes Crowley complaining to the Board of Supervisors about insufficient mounted park police. The rocking horse mockery suggests the police force is ineffectual and laughable—appearing active but accomplishing nothing, like a child's toy. This appears to be local San Francisco political commentary attacking either Crowley's competence or his credibility when requesting budget increases for park policing.