Stir up Trouble Among Women

Originally Aired: February 26, 1940 In Lum #262, "Stir up Trouble Among Women," Pine Ridge finds itself in the midst of a political battle of the sexes. The Women's Protective Association has forced the regular village officers to resign and put up their own slate of candidates. The men have convinced Lum to run for mayor against the women's ticket, but Abner faces a particularly awkward situation when he discovers his opponent for chief of police is his own wife, Elizabeth. His anxiety grows when he spots her practicing with a pistol behind the barn, though Lum tries to reassure him she's just preparing for the duties of office. Squire stops by to discuss campaign strategy and reveals that the men are facing an uphill battle. Many husbands want to vote for Lum and Abner but fear their wives will find out, especially since women will be serving as judges and clerks at the polls. The trio scrambles to develop a winning platform, with Squire insisting they need something sensational to win this fight and prevent Pine Ridge from falling under what he dramatically calls "marital slavery."