The Wasp — 1891 — page 85: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This *Wasp* page presents six satirical questions about contemporary issues, each illustrated with a cartoon: 1. **Jay Gould/Uncle Sam** – Questions whether wealthy industrialist Jay Gould or Uncle Sam truly owns America 2. **City Hall corruption** – Asks if San Francisco's railroad company will provide better accounting 3. **B&R Co. mudslinging** – Questions whether a company will offer better accommodations despite poor conditions 4. **California tourism** – Satirizes promotional claims about California's attractions 5. **San Francisco wealth** – Mocks whether a millionaire will maintain his lavish lifestyle on $10 weekly income 6. **Immigration/unity** – Asks if American foreigners will unite under one flag The cartoons employ exaggeration and caricature to critique industrial monopolies, municipal corruption, false advertising, and social inequality—characteristic *Wasp* targets of Gilded Age America.