Election Will Be Held

Originally Aired: February 23, 1940 In Lum #261, "Election Will Be Held," the battle between the Men's Protective Association and the Women's Protective Association reaches a critical juncture. After the men were locked out of their homes and forced to agree to let the women run Pine Ridge's civic affairs, all the town's male officers have resigned. Now Squire Skimp arrives at the Jot-em-down store with an urgent mission: convince Lum to run for mayor against two female candidates. Lum is reluctant, fearing he'll be humiliated by losing to a woman, but the Squire paints an alarming picture of what could happen under "petty-coat government"—men might be forced to become nursemaids and cooks while women run the businesses and pass ordinances pushing men out of public life entirely. When Abner joins the conversation, the men discuss their predicament. Since all the married men in town have pledged to support the Women's Protective Association, finding votes seems impossible. However, Squire points out that voting is secret, and men might vote differently than they promise their wives. As they debate who could fill other civic offices, the question remains whether Lum will take the plunge and run to "save the town" from female leadership.