The Wasp — 1892 — page 352: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon, titled "Not In It," satirizes San Francisco's local political establishment shutting out presidential aspirants from the 1892 election cycle. Two caricatured men hold a large wasp-shaped banner advertising the "Great San Francisco Circus" and "Australian Ballot" alongside references to "Great International Race," "Dutch, Irish Dragoes," and "Open to All Comers." The banner appears to mock the spectacle of politics. Below them sits a toy horse labeled "FREE TRADE," suggesting economic policy concerns of the era. The caption indicates San Francisco's political "circus" is excluding presidential candidates this election year—likely commenting on how local political machines or factions controlled who could participate in national politics, or that major candidates were ignoring California entirely.