The Wasp — 1879 — page 189: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **publication information and an editorial essay** rather than political cartoons. The masthead shows the magazine's San Francisco office and subscription rates. The main content is an article by Managing Editor Salmi Morse titled "The Vacuum Created by the Expulsion of Morality," which **condemns wantonness as a social vice**. Morse argues that women who engage in illicit behavior become "waste" to society, and that wantonness—described as lacking restraint or honor—leads to broader moral decay. He uses vivid language comparing wanton individuals to criminals and thieves. The accompanying illustrations appear to be **decorative elements** (a mayor's office sign, architectural details) rather than satirical political cartoons. This issue focuses on moral commentary rather than political satire.