The Wasp — 1892 — page 174: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is the title page of *The Wasp*, a San Francisco satirical weekly. The masthead cartoon shows a caricatured figure being stung by a wasp, illustrating the magazine's mocking approach to public figures and issues. The editorial content criticizes San Francisco's savings banks for hoarding deposits rather than circulating money, and attacks the Reorganized Democracy party and its candidates. Editor Thomas E. Flynn particularly targets Dwyer, Sullivan & Co., leaders of the Reorganized Democrats, suggesting their influence over the party is improper. The piece also criticizes the Young Men's Institute, questioning whether a nominally religious organization should involve itself in partisan politics. The tone is sharply critical of perceived corruption and mismanagement in local Democratic politics.