The Wasp — 1890 — page 81: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes what *The Wasp* characterizes as corrupt Republican politicians. The title "A Black Republican" employs a double meaning: it suggests both moral corruption ("black") and Republican Party affiliation. The seated figures appear to be wealthy gentlemen in formal dress at what looks like a social gathering or dinner. The caricatured figures above them—depicted in exaggerated, grotesque fashion—likely represent vices or scandals associated with these politicians. Text visible includes "CORRUPT" and references to "LA TRICKERIA" (trickery). The satire suggests these Republicans engage in dishonest dealings while maintaining respectable public appearances. Without clearer identification of specific individuals, the exact targets remain unclear, though the artwork reflects late 19th-century partisan political criticism of Republican corruption.