The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-19
BROUGHT 1T ON HIMSELF.
Mr.. Lease Responsible for His Wife
Becoming a Politician of National
nauaxvu
From the Kansas city Journal.

From the Kansas City Journal.
Topeka.-Those who have been lavishIng
their sympathy upon poor Mr. Lease,
the husband of the "uncrowned Kansas
queen" should recall 1t at once. Mr..
Lease does not deserve any sympathy. He
brought all the trouble on himself. There
was a time when he was master Of his
own house, but he voluntarily stepped
aside and permitted the mantle to fall
on his laxative wife. At one time he
actually had the temerity to stand up and
bodily defy his better half. Not only this,
but he screwed up enough courage to pro-
mitigate an order compelling his wife to
forsake the washtub and kitchen and en-
ter pelitics, and, what's more, he enforced
the order Whether or not he Is sorry he
issued the imperial ukase only he can tell,
and he won't.
Mrs. Lease entered politics In 1890 And
she did so at the solicitation of her hus-
band Prior TO that time she was an or
binary housekeeper. She could do as big
a days washing any woman, could
cook fairly well, and keep her little home
neat. While doing this she found spare
time to post up on reform movements. In
which she had always taken natural In
terest. In 1880 the Farmers Alliance
sprang into existence, and there she saw
an opportunity She pleaded with her hus-
band to Join the movement and develop
himself into a politician. She told him
that II was his chance to make ten
strike. But Mr.. Lease was not Of polit-
zeal turn of mind.
MARY, you know that I am no pollti-
clan: never could make one; could not
make a speech to save my life. It's no
use for me to try IT.
Mrs Lease insisted, but he stood firm.
Then mindful of the perfect ease with
which she could rattle II of to the kids
around the house and occasionally 10 him
as well, an idea seized him. why can't
you branch out as politician yourself"
he said. you are a glib talker, have
studied the thing some and take an In
terest in politics"
Mrs Lease had never thought Of enter
ing politics before. Her mind was on the
welfare of her family and home. She
took the matter under advisement, and In
the meantime her husband kept insisting.
Finally she consented TO try H. But
how she was TO get start was the ques-
ton. She had never made a speech, and
no politician had ever heard OF her. How,
when and where to get the first speech on
was the puzzle. Finally neighbOr Dix
on, was taken into the deal, and he ar
ranged Il so that Mrs. Lease could appear
before the next farmers alliance county
convention and make talk. That was In
the summer Of 1890. She was there on the
appointed day, and when all other busi-
ness Of the convention had been
finished Dixon called on Mrs. Lease 20
make a speech. IL didn't take any commit
tee to escort her 70 the platform. As
soon as her name was mentioned she rose
and made Decline TO the stage so as to
get the ear OF the delegates before they
startd out. Her maiden speech, as they
say. was a stemwlnder. She captured the
entire long-whiskered outfit by her elo-
quence. She was the sensation OF the
hour. From all over Sedgwick county
came demands for her 10 speak and she
was kept busy for several weeks hllng
those engagements. Her light could not
be hidden under a bushel Adjoining
counties heard OF her, and before that
campaign was over Mrs. Lease was the
best advertised politician In Kansas.
Her fame spread like wildnre throughout
the country, aud she was In great de-
mand. She has at last about talked her.
self TO death politically, and must soon be
content with household duties again. but
she won't have to do the family washing
unless she wants TO. She has made
enough so she can AFFORD 10 let that Job
out
Mrs. Lease, when she had broken into
politics, ala not forget Dixon. when a
member Of the state board OF charities she
had him appointed steward 0f the Olathe
asylum.