The Wasp — 1877 — page 56: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon from *The San Francisco Illustrated Wasp* (August 25, 1877) depicts a group of men gathered around Lady Justice (identifiable by her scales and blindfold), with their hands raised in what appears to be a swearing-in gesture. The caption reads: "HOW IS IT THAT YE AGREED TOGETHER TO TEMPT THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD? (ACTS V-8.)" The cartoon satirizes what the artist calls a "lying club"—apparently a group of politicians or public figures colluding to commit perjury or coordinated deception. The biblical reference (Acts 5:8) concerns Ananias and Sapphira, who conspired to lie to the apostles. The work suggests these men are conspiring together to subvert justice and deceive the public, mocking their formal oath-taking as hypocritical theater.