The Wasp — 1891 — page 128: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes a bearded man in formal dress (top hat, tailcoat) surrounded by monkeys in a San Francisco street setting. The caption asks: "Have we not had enough of this kind of monkeying in the public streets?" The cartoon appears to be criticizing some local San Francisco figure or official whose behavior the magazine deemed disruptive or foolish—"monkeying around" being slang for mischievous misconduct. The imagery equates this person with primates, a common satirical device suggesting primitive or uncontrolled behavior. Without additional historical context about San Francisco politics of this era, the specific target remains unclear, though the complaint suggests public disorder or inappropriate street conduct by someone of apparent social standing.