The Wasp — 1881 — page 90: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon from *The Wasp* (San Francisco, 1891) depicts a grotesque, money-grabbing figure suspended in a tree while wolves or coyotes circle below. The figure holds money bags labeled with dollar signs, suggesting corrupt wealth accumulation. The caption "The Office Seeks the Man" appears to satirize Nevada politics, likely criticizing how political positions attract opportunists and corrupt individuals. The predatory animals represent either competing politicians or the general public being exploited. The money-laden figure represents an officeholder who profits from their position rather than serving constituents. This reflects late-19th-century Progressive Era concerns about political corruption and patronage systems where elected offices were treated as profit opportunities rather than public trusts.