The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1910-04-15

liver. with syrup made of sugar dissolved in water
for dessert.
All through this time his wife encouraged his
political ambitions.
In April. 1902, Gore managed 10 go as a dele
gate to the territorial convention that was to
choose delegate to congress from Oklahoma and
his speech in response to the welcome of the
mayor OF Enid so struck the fancy OF the delegates
that there was movement to make him the choice
of the convention. He declined the honor in favor
of others. 1t a shrewd and counter
balanced the fact that he a newcomer in Okla
homa The result that he was elected to the
territorial senate.
The fight for a seat in the United States senate
was now pressed systematically Having intro
duced child labor bill in the legislature and de-
clared his friendship for organized labor, Gore
spent the year 1903 in widening his acquaintance
attending picncs barbecues and county fairs, lee
turing for anything from S. to s25 shaking hands
with the crowds and smiling his way into their
hearts.
Then the presidential campaign OF 1904
and Gore got 81 So day from the Democrats
for speaking in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois He had
desire to go back to the territorial legislature
knowing that his great ambition could be better
served by the publicity Of service in the national
campaign.
Gore fought hard for okahoma's admission to
the Union. No more active in the agi
tation. But he would not go to the national capital
81 won't go to Washington till I go with the
right TO speak and vote in the senate" he said
The statehood bill was passed by congress in
1906. Then the political air of Oklahoma was
full Of razors" as the struggle for the two
senatorships began with the primary campaign to
elect legislature. Cores opponents both
rich men, who spent their money freely. He
stayed in Guthrie borrowing money to pay the
$3.50 week which 1t cost him to live Being at
the capital, he met from all over the state
and was able to make shrewd combinations
1t tragic thing to see blind har
assed by poverty fighting against his rich rivals
one banker and the other lawyer. but. however
he bled inwardly, Gore gave sign that he
anything pathetic in his situation His friends
wanted him to abandon his ambition for time
and run for congress.
at is the senate nothing" he replied.
In April, 1907, he began to make speeches all
the state.
He spoke on street corners, from the tops of
boxes, from cart tails anywhere. everywhere. night
and day. The leading newspapers ignored him.
while his rivals able to buy advertising
space and OF them hired brass bands opera
houses and advance agents. In March he had
mortgaged his house for 81 900, but the money was
soon gone To get his name on the primary ballot
under the rules of the Democratic state convention
he had to pay 1915. But the last day allowed
for the payment he found himself with only S. In
sheer desperation he made out his check for 1876
and paid it in. A Mr.. Young saved him by raising
the money to meet the check.
AS the voting drew near the blind candidates
circumstances became desperate than ever.
He spending about s24 week for travelling
expenses. To get out of money at that stage Of
the fight would have been fatal. He made from
two to four speeches day although he would
sit up all night in hotels to paying for bed.
and ate only one meal day. At times he would
go from one day to another cheese and crackers
carried in his gripsack. SO great the physical
ordeal that he lost 80 pounds weight.
Gore his fight in the primary election and
elected to the United States senate by the
legislature, drawing the short term The struggle
cost him S1l00. exclusive OF the 1915 he paid to
get his the primary ballot. One Of his
opponents is said to have spent $500
II a grand day for Oklahoma when her
blind man got into the United States senate.
In 1908 he went home and was reelected. When
he reached Lawton a cheering crowd surrounded
the carriage and took him and his wife to their
cottage. AS roar after roar broke on the air he
turned to his wife and whispered, "They don't
seem to know that It's only me-"