The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1897-07-14
brought IL On Himself.


brought it all Oh himself. There
was time when he was master of
his own house, but he voluntarily
stepped aside and permitted the
to fall on his talkative
wife. At one time he actually
had the tenfaRity to stand up and
boldly defy his better half. Not
only this, but he screwed up enough
courage to promulgate an order
compelling his wife to forsake the
washtub and kitchen and enter pol
tiles, and, what's more, he en-
forced the order. Whether or not
he is sorry he issued the ukase only
he can tell, and he won't.
Mrs. Lease entered politics in
1890. And she did so ut the solic-
itation of her husband. Prior to
that time she was an ordinary
housekeeper. She could do as big
a days washing as any woman,
could, cook fairly we'll and keep
her little home neat. While do
ing this she found spare time to
post up on reform movements, in
which she hadla natural interest.
In 1890 the Farmers Alliance
sprang into existence, and there
she saw an opportunity. She
pleaded with her husband to join
the movement and develop HIM
self into a politician. She told
hSnnthatlitwas his chaneerte. make
ten.strrkhr. Bat Mi. Lease was
not of a political turn of mind.
MARY, you know that I am no
politician; never could make one;
could not nnaksea speech to save
my lifes, FITS no use for me to try
it."
Mrs. Lease insistedJ but he stood
firm.
Then, mindful of the perfect
ease with which she could rattle it
off to the kids around the house,
and occasionally to him as we'll
an idea seized him. "Why can't
you branch off into a politician
YOURSELF" he said. "You are q
glib talker, have studied the thing
some and take an interest Ia poll.
tics"
Mrs. Lease had never thought Of
entering politics before. Her mine
was on the welfare of her family
and her home. She took the mat
ter under Amusement, and in tn
meantime her husband kept in
sistlng.
Finally she consented to try it
But how she wasetO get q start wa
the question. She had never mad
"a speeoh4 and, no politician ha'
ever heard of her. How, when
and where to get the first speec
off was the puzzle. Finally
neighbor, Dixon, was taken int
the deal and he arranged it SO tina
Mrs. Lease could appear befor
!, the next Farmers Alliance count
convention and make tall
That was in the summer of 1896
: She was there on' the appointe
, day, and when all other bushes
of the convention had been fiji
! ished, Dixon called on Mrs. Leas
to make a speech. It didn't tax
:, any committee to escort her to tt
= platform. AS soon as her nan
i was mentioned, she rose and mac
a bee line to the stage SO as to g
the ear of the delegates before the
], started out. Her maiden speed
), they say, was stem-winder. 81
al captured the entire long-whiskere
it outfit by her eloquence. She WI
l. the sensation of the hour. Fro
Jail over Sedgwick county can
e demands for her to speak, and 81
8 was kept busy for several weel
e filling these engagements. H
|. light could not be hidden under
If bushel. Adjoining counties hea1
It of her and before that campaie
v was over Mrs. Lease was the be
t. advertised politicianein Kansas.
It Her fame spread like wild-fi
throughout the country, and s.
WAS int'great demand. She has
. last about talked herself to dea
y politica1f 7, am nrust soor-be' co
u tent with ihl6btuseffofd duties agai
D. but she WORT have to do the fal
lilly Washing titifEtss she wants
She has made elfoHgh so she c.
afford to let that job out.
Mrs. Lease, when she had brok
into politics, did not forget Dixie
" When q member of the State boa
- of charities she had him appoint
- steward Of the oiathe Asylum.