The Wasp — 1879 — page 448: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two distinct satirical pieces: **"Modern Cadeism"** — a one-act drama mocking corrupt San Francisco politics. A "Modern Cade" (likely referencing a political boss or corrupt official) boasts of removing a health nuisance through bribery and intimidation rather than legal process. The satire targets machine politics, specifically how officials use threats and payoffs instead of proper governance. **"Feuilleton" section** — contains two pieces: "Sacramento" is a letter detailing railroad corruption and legislative manipulation regarding land grants and monopoly power. The writer describes how politicians are bribed to pass favorable resolutions. Both pieces attack California's Gilded Age political corruption, focusing on bribery, monopolistic railroad interests, and the failure of legitimate democratic processes. The satire is direct social criticism of endemic institutional corruption.