4. The People’s Party during its palmy days was a leading factor in popularizing the initiative and referendum, and in securing its adoption, and today, by centering its effort on the termination of machine rule through the establishment of the initiative and referendum, it can at once complete the rehabilitation of the American system of government. Not only can the remaining states be redeemed within the next two years, but it is thoroughly practicable to exert in national affairs this year an influence that shall result in a pledged majority in the national House and Senate—the pledges to be for the advisory initiative and advisory referendum. The entire body of organized labor is centering its efforts in this direction, the referendum leagues are demanding it, and all that is needed to secure immediate victory is a political party that stands ready to put up candidates. The mere existence of such a party will win the day. How best can the desired end be attained?
A Basket And A Fortune
By Louise Forsslund
AUTHOR OF “THE STORY OF SARAH”, ETC.
The Old Men’s Home, Indian Village, Long Island. June 10, 19—
To the Matron of the Old Ladies’ Home, Shoreville, Long Island.
Dear Miss: The writer of this letter has had a windfall and he wants one of your woman-folks to have a share in it. He has lived in an old folks’ home himself for ten years, hand running, and he has a feeling for them others. My cousin Obadiah Hawkins died up to Lakeland last week. He never would so much as lend me a penny whilst he was living, but now he’s dead, he’s left me ten thousand dollars in ready money and a house and a home. There’s a pump in the kitchen. He never was no hand for investments and the money was all in an old silver water pitcher. It’s all good and the matron here has counted it over. I always wanted a home of my own and never was able to afford one. I always wanted a wife of my own and never could get up gumption enough to ask any woman to share my bad luck. Now the luck has turned. I got the home. All I need is the wife. I be going to drive over this afternoon and see if you got anybody that’s willing. I put it that way ’cause I ain’t much account if I have come into a tidy little fortune. I wear a wig and have spells of lumbago. It’s the lumbago what brought me here. There ain’t a lazy bone in my body. As for the requirements of the lady. She must be under seventy years old; she mustn’t wear a wig or dye her hair. I want one respectable suit of hair between us. She mustn’t squint or take snuff, and if she is sot on keeping chickens—some women be—she must keep them in the coop. I’ll build the coop. And she must love flowers and garden sass.
Expecting them to be on deck this afternoon at three o’clock, I am,
Yours most respectfully,
Samuel Jessup.