The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-03-21
BY t. c. RICHTER.

to be Senator.
BY T. c. RICHTER.
Remember, gentlemen, the little
brown eyed woman has set her heart
on my going to the United States Sen
ate. Vote for the little brown eyed
woman if you can"
This remarkable plea made blind
man Federal Senator, the only time
in the history of that august body,
and the first from the newly formed
State of Oklahoma. 1t is one of the
most remarkable romances of modern
politics, this successful campaign of
blinu Thomas P. Gore, for one of the
highest honors at the disposal of his
proud, new State.
Almost alone, without money, when
his competitors were spending many
thousands, with only his gift of ora
tory and devoted, brilliant, but in
valid wife to help him, Gore boldly
plunged into the struggle.
His wife was his eyes, his inspira-
ton, and his support. He admits
freely that but for her wonderful as
sistance he could not have gained the
victory. Wherever he went-and he
thoroughly canvassed the big terri
tory-he frankly told his hearers about
the little brown-eyed woman at
| home"
IF you can, vote for her." he said.
There was a spontaneous response,
particularly from the farming dis
tricts, and the little brown eyed wo-
mans blind husband was swept into
a seat in the United States Senate.
Now Gore is the most interesting
man in that body. When Congress
first convened Gore was led into the
big chamber when almost all his COL
| leagues were seated. There was
markable man and his great fight. In
the Senate man must possess some
unusual distinction to attract more
than passing notice. But Gore is
still in the centre of the limeli2ht.
For a few days it was necessary to
lead him about until he had familiar
lied himself with. the various turn
ings and outlets in the big building.
Now he is able to make his way about
without assistance.
In short time he will get thor
oughly into the workings of his new
life, and then he may be expected to
do something that will again bring
him into prominence. Naturally, as
the representative of the new State,
his actions will be closely watched and
his ideas sought.
Naturally when a territory is per-
mitted to expand into sovereign
State, the two new federal senator
ships are prizes worth trying for. In
| Oklahoma there were scores who de-
sired the honor. A number entered
actively into the primaries, while
others contented themselves with the
receptive candidacy position. Thomas
P. Gore, one of the Democratic as
pirants, was not only receptive but
active. So active was he, in fact,
that he landed the prize he sought.
Mr.. Gore is entirely blind. When
he was nine years old playmate dur
ing a momentary quarrel threw a
stone at him. 1t struck his left eye
and destroyed the sight. Three years
afterward another playmate acciden-
tally shot out his other eye with an
arrow. This would have discouraged
most boys, but not young Gore. AS
soon as he was able he went right on
with his studies.
Friends read over his daily lessons
to him and the boy developed such a
remarkable memory that his mind re-
tained nearly all that he heard.
1t is said of Thomas Pryor Gore
that he became a candidate for the
United States Senate during his
school days at Walthal, Miss. He
was sixteen years old then and blind.
In some way there fell into his
hands and those of his constant COM
panion, Charlie Pitman, copy of the
Congressional Reco,d. This contain
ed list of the United States Sena-
tors. Pitman and Gore learned their
names and since that time Gore has
kept up with every change in the per-
sonnel of the Senate.
"The truth isl said Pitman re-
Gently, "Gore has been candidate
for the Senate from that time. ]
have spent many hours reading the
Congressional Record to him and espe-
cially speeches of Calhoun, Webster
and Clay"
Sixteen when he first made up his
mind to become Senator thirty-si5
when his ambition was realized.
The interim passed in total blind
ness.
The goal, however, he always KEPT
before him. He was working for il
when down in Texas he made the
race as Populist for Congressman
when in Mississippi he outpointed
Money, then Congressman, N serie:
of debates; when he stumped the Da
kotas and Nebraska for Bryan when
later, he stumped Indiana and Ohit
for Mr.. Bryan, and when in Okla
homa, he began taking all active par
in politics.
eff Gore gets into the. race in earn
est, and predict he will, watch fol
him to gain the nomination." said al
Oklahoma Republican leader early
last year. ''He has sat by too many
fresides in the rural districts of thi.