The Wasp — 1891 — page 463: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes corruption in San Francisco's Municipal Stables. The classical reference to Hercules cleaning the Augean stables (an impossible task) suggests the massive cleanup needed. The image depicts filthy conditions with rats, pigs, and refuse—literal and metaphorical waste. Labels identify "Criminal" and "Corruption" among the debris. A figure (appearing to be labeled "Kelly," visible in the image) wields a broom as the cleaner. A hand from above holds the cleaning tool, suggesting external authority imposing reform. The cartoon mocks both the stables' actual unsanitary conditions and the city officials responsible. It implies that cleaning up San Francisco's civic corruption requires Herculean effort—and questions whether it's even possible.