The Wasp — 1894 — page 377: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is primarily text rather than a visual cartoon. The article discusses **Eugene F. McEwen**, a newspaper editor involved in California political scandals of the late 1800s. The piece describes McEwen's controversial journalism career, including his work at the *San Francisco Examiner*, where he allegedly used blackmail and sensationalism. The text details conflicts with Democratic politicians and his role in publishing damaging stories about public figures. The satire mocks McEwen as an unethical journalist who employed extortion ("I will give you the price of any poison") and character assassination for profit. The article suggests he weaponized newspapers for personal gain rather than public interest—a critique of yellow journalism practices and media corruption common to that era. The overall tone criticizes both McEwen's methods and the broader problem of corrupt, manipulative newspaper editors wielding political power.