The Wasp — 1878 — page 153: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **text-based editorial content** rather than illustrated satire. The masthead shows *The Wasp* was a San Francisco weekly published at 602 California Street. The main article, titled "OUR GREATNESS IN CROOKEDNESS," satirizes **organized religion's hypocrisy**—specifically how churches and clergy prioritize wealth and social position over genuine moral teaching. The author attacks clergy who ignore clerical scandals and moral failures, asking pointedly whether religion truly makes society better. A secondary piece, "HE! HE! HA! HA! HO! HO!" mocks the **Police Commissioners** for investigating corruption among officers, suggesting their investigations are performative theater rather than genuine reform. The piece implies systematic dishonesty is endemic to the institution. Both pieces employ sharp sarcasm to critique institutional corruption and hypocrisy in 1870s San Francisco society.