The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1910-05-07


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 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 struck the fancy of the delegates
that there was a movement to make him the choice
OF the convention. He declined the honor in favor
OF others. 1t was a shrewd move and counter
balanced the fact that he was a newcomer in Okla
homa. The result was 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 picnics. barbecues and county fairs lee.
turing for anything from S. to $25, shaking hands
with the crowds and smiling his way into their
hearts.
Then came the presidential campaign of 1904
and Gore got "a or IS 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 Oklahoma's admission to
the Union No man was more active in the agi-
tation- But he would not go to the national capital
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 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 1t cost him to live. Being at
the capital. he met men from all over the state
and was able to make shrewd combinations.
1t was tragic thing to see blind man har-
assed by poverty fighting against his rich rivals.
one banker and the other lawyer. but, however
he bled inwardly. Gore gave no 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.
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 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 on the last day allowed
for the payment he found himself with only 49, In
sheer desperation he made out his check for s375
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 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 a day. although he would
sit up all night in hotels to save 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 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
cost him sl100. exclusive of the 1915 he paid to
get his name on the primary ballot One Of his
opponents is said to have spent $4,000
1t was 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 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 doI;
seem to know that It's only me-"