The Wasp — 1879 — page 205: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily editorial content rather than a satirical cartoon. The masthead shows "The Illustrated Wasp" published in San Francisco, with subscription information and pricing. The main article, titled "What will become of our boys and girls?" by managing editor Salmi Morse, discusses education and labor. Morse argues that modern improvements and automation are displacing traditional skilled trades, forcing parents to question what occupations remain viable for their children. He critiques the notion that "modern improvements" have cheapened labor while making clothing, hats, and boots more expensive—suggesting manufacturers profit while workers suffer reduced opportunities. The piece advocates for practical trade education over abstract learning, positioning this as a social concern for working-class families facing industrial displacement.