The Appeal., 1910-04-16


scanty portions of bread, beans and beet
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 to so az do,o.
gate to the territorial convention that was tn
choose delegate to congress from Oklahoma and
MS 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 tn 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 do.
clared his friendship for organized labor Gore
spent the year 1908 in widening his acquaintance
attending picnics, barbecues and county fairs lee.
turing for anything from IS to $685. shaking hands
with lne cro"os and smiling his way into their
hearts.
and Gore got 81 or SIS day from the Democrats
1or 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 oy the publicity Of service in the national
campaign.
Gore fought hard for oklahoma's admission IN
the Onlon NO man was more active in the ag-
tat1on But he would not go to the national capital
Il won't go to Washington till I go with the
right to speak and vote in the senate" he said
Inc statehood bill passed by congress in
1906 Then the political air of Oklahoma was
1ull OF razors' as the struggle for the two new
senatorships began with the primary campaign to
elect legislature. Cores opponents were both
rich men, who spent their money freely. He
stayed In Guthrie, borrowing money to pay the
$3.50 week which it cost him to live Being at
tne capital, ne met men from all the state
va oh 10 fN o11o~ ~L~
It was tragic thing to see blind man har.
assed by poverty fighting against his rich rivals.
one banker and the other a lawyer but however
ne pied lnwardly Gore gave sign that he saw
anything pathetic in his situation. His friends
wanted him to abandon his ambition for time
and run for congress-
1T is the senate or nothing" he replied.
In April 1907. he began to make speeches all
over the state. szSs5s=s.z-
He spoke street corners from the tops Of
boxes, from cart tails anywhere, everywhere night
and day. The leading newspapers ignored him,
while his rivals were able to buy advertising
space and one of them hired brass bands, opera
houses and advance agents. In March he had
mortgaged his house for $1,000, 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 $375. But on the last day allowed
for the payment he found himself with only s8 In
sheer desperation he madeyout his check for s375
and paid 1t in. A Mr.. Young saved him by raising
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 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 on cheese and crackers
carried In his gripsack So great was the physical
ordeal that he lost 80 pounds weight
Gore won his fight In the primary election and
was elected to the United States senate by the
legislature. drawing the short term. The struggle
coat him $1.10o. exclusive Of the 1915 he paid to
get bis name on the primary ballot. One Of his
opponents is said to have spent $4,000.
It was q: 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 wite and whispered, "They don't
seem TO know that H's only me-"