The Neshoba Democrat., 1910-04-14

liver, with syrup made of sugar dissolved in water
for dessert
All through this tina his wife encouraged his
political ambitions.
In April, 1902, Gore managed to 20 as 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 was shrewd move and counter
balanced the fact that he newcomer In Okla
homa. The result was that he was elected to the
territorial senate
The fight for 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 picnics, barbecues and county fairs lec
turing for anything from S. to s25 shaking hands
with the crowds and smiling his way into their
hearts,
Then came the presidential campaign of 1904
and core got $4 or s. day from the Democrats
for speaking In Indiana, Ohio and Illinois He had
no 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 man was active in the aei.
taton. But he would not go to the national canital
l 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
'fu OF razors" the struggle for the two new
sehatorshlps began with the primary campaign to
elect legislature. Cores opponents were both
rlch men, who spent their money freely. He
stayed in Guthrie, borrowing money to nav tho
S4o0 week which it cost him to live Being at
the capital, he met men from all over tho state
ana was able to make shrewd combinations
IL was tragic thing to see blind man har-
assed py poverty fighting against his rich rivals
one banker and the other lawyer but however
ne pieu ih~ardly' Gore gave no sign that he saw
anything pathetic in his situation His friends
wanted him to abandon his ambition for a time
and run for congress.
II Is the senate or nothing" he replied
IN April, 1907, he began to make speeches all
the state ~
he spoke on street corners. from the tops OF
ooses, from cart tas' anywhere, everywhere, night
ana DAY. The leading newspapers ignored him
while his rivals able to buy advertisne .
space and one of them hired brass bands onera
houses and advance agents. In March he had
mortgased his house for $1,000. but the money was
sooh gone 10 get his name on the primary ballot
uhder the rules OF the Democratic state convention
he had to pay S375 But on the last dav a1lowad
1or the payment he found himself with only a. In
sheer desperation he made out his check for s975
and paid 1t IN. Mr. Young saved him by raisin.
the money to meet the check
AS the voting drew near the blind candidates
circumstances became more desperate than ever
He was spending about $24 week for travelling
expenses To get out of money at that stage ol
the night would have been fatal He made from
TWO to four speeches day, although he would
st up all night in hotels to save paying for bed
ana ate only one meal day. At times he would
go from one day to another on cheese and crackers
carried in his gripsack So great was the nhvsica1
ordeal that he lost 80 pounds weight
Gore won his fight in the primary election and
was erected 10 the United States senate by the
legislature drawing the short term. The struggle
cost MIN sl'loo, exclusive Of the 1915 he paid to
set MS name on the primary ballot One Of his
opponents is said to have spent SIS 900
II was grand day for Oklahoma wben ber
oiind man got into the United States senate
IN lsoS ne went home and was reelected When
ne reached Lawton cheering crowd surronndaa
'he carriage and took him and his wife to tbei,
eottage' AS roar after roar broke on the air ,e he
turned TO his wife and whispered "Thev DOM
seem to know that it's only me-" oon