The Wasp — 1879 — page 18: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page satirizes San Francisco municipal corruption and incompetence. The top section mocks efforts to "raise the wind upon an old dodge"—suggesting recycled corrupt practices. The building displays banners listing various candidates for positions (Mayor, Supervisors, Pound Keeper, Night Contractor), implying they're all part of the same corrupt machine. The middle section titled "Unmanly & Unwomanly Art Only" ridicules boxing matches "patronized by ladies, convicts & judges" under animal cruelty prevention society auspices—highlighting hypocrisy about protecting animals while ignoring human brutality. The bottom shows a well-dressed figure holding a "Police" sign with "Revenge" imagery, suggesting law enforcement's complicity in the corrupt system. The overall message: San Francisco's government operates through interconnected corruption involving judges, supervisors, and police.