The Wasp — 1879 — page 276: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon from May 3, 1879, satirizes a competitive "walking match"—a popular Victorian sporting spectacle where contestants walked long distances for prize money and public acclaim. The central figure, labeled "Opposition," strides energetically while carrying a sash reading "Opposition." A smaller figure labeled "Chronicle" watches anxiously from the sideline. A sign advertises "Opposition 500 / Favor 200," suggesting betting odds on the competition's outcome. The cartoon likely critiques San Francisco's political landscape, mocking the "Opposition" party's efforts against the favored political side. The walking match serves as metaphor for the competitive political struggle, with the outcome apparently already determined by public sentiment (the 500-to-200 odds).