The Wasp — 1880 — page 43: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains a serialized story ("The Book of the Children of Samuel," Chapter III) alongside advertisements and a dictionary of slang terms. The main narrative discusses selecting tribal leaders and includes commentary on political corruption—mentioning bribery, inadequate compensation for public servants, and calls for reform. The central illustration labeled "OUR FIRE LADIES" likely satirizes San Francisco's fire department, depicting women in firefighting roles. The accompanying text critiques low wages for firemen and hook-and-ladder workers, noting their services are undervalued despite dangerous work. This appears to be social criticism of municipal budget mismanagement and underpaid public safety workers rather than political cartooning targeting specific individuals.