The Wasp — November 8, 1879 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes conflict within a government cabinet, depicting politicians engaged in chaotic physical struggle. The title's wordplay on "strike" (labor action vs. literal striking) frames cabinet members as laborers in internal conflict. The cartoon shows figures performing acrobatic contortions while holding furniture and tools, suggesting governmental instability and loss of control. The caption "Balance of Power—A Powerful Balance—Who Holds Out Longest/Safest" implies the cartoon critiques how political leaders maintain positions through power struggles rather than governing effectively. Without specific attribution or dating, the exact historical moment remains unclear, but the imagery mocks cabinet dysfunction and the precarious nature of political alliances. The chaotic composition emphasizes disorder and incompetence in government leadership.