The Wasp — 1879 — page 61: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This article criticizes the "Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children," exposing what the author sees as hypocrisy. The piece details how the society prosecutes cases of child labor and abuse but appears selective in enforcement—targeting poor Jewish families (Solomon Mitchell case specifically mentioned) while ignoring similar abuses by the wealthy. The cartoon depicts a ragged child in harsh conditions, illustrating the poverty the society claims to address. The text argues the organization uses high-profile prosecutions for publicity while overlooking systemic child exploitation affecting "grow people" in theatrical work and elsewhere. The satire suggests the society functions more as moral theater for respectability than genuine child welfare reform.