The cartoon below titled “where the blame lies” was created in the late 1800s: a political cartoon shows uncle sam standing on a platform. a man stands next to uncle sam and points out to a crowd of people. they appear to be entering the united states after exiting ships in new york harbor. the people seem to be walking in a wild manner. the statue of liberty and the american flag can be seen in the background. © the granger collection/image quest 2012 which political issue does this cartoon illustrate? the effects of unchecked immigration the health effects of the factory system the effects of low american wages the effects of prohibiting alcohol on society

The point of the cartoon, based on the description of the illustration, is the negative effect of unchecked immigration. The cartoon depicts "hordes" of new immigrants coming into the United States in a disorderly and dangerous fashion. This idea of immigrants making the United States a less safe and pleasant place is nothing new, and still exists today.

The cartoon's message is clearer when you look at the actual image. There is a sign at the harbour saying "Entry for Immigrants. Baggage the only Requisite", implying that regulation of immigration was too lax. The caption of the cartoon is :
"If Immigration was properly Restricted you would no longer be troubled with Anarchy, Socialism, the Mafia and such kindred evils!"

These messages make the point of the cartoon even clearer, but it can still be deduced from the description provided. 

The answer to the question is a.