Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 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 to go 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 movement to make him the choice
of the convention. He declined the honor in favor
of others. 1t a shrewd move and counter
balanced the fact that he was newcomer in Okla
homa The result that he was elected to the
territorial senate.
The fight for seat in the United States senate
was now pressed Systematically Having intro
duced a 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 81 or S. 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 Oklahomas admission to
the Union. No active in the agi-
taton. But he would not go to the national capital
81 won't go to Washington till l go with the
right to speak and vote in the senate" he said
The statehood bill passed by congress in
1906 Then the political air of Oklahoma was
full of razors" the struggle for the two new
senatorshps 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
the capital, he met men from all over the state
and was able to make shrewd combinations.
1t was a tragic thing to see blind har-
assed by poverty fighting against his rich rivals,
a banker and the other lawyer but however
he bled inwardly. Gore gave sign that he saw
anything pathetic in his situation. His friends
wanted him to abandon his ambition for a time
and run for congress.
cit is the senate nothing" he replied
In April 1907 he began to make speeches all
over 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 one of them hired brass bands, opera
houses and advance agents In March he had
mortgaged his house for ST 900, but the money was
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 So. In
sheer desperation he made out his check for 1915
and paid It in. Mr.. Young saved him by raising
the money meet the check.
AS the voting drew the blind candidate g
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 meal day. At times he would
go from 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
cost him $1,100 exclusive of the 1915 he paid to
get his the primary ballot. One of his
opponents is said to have spent $4,000.
1t was a grand day for Oklahoma when her
blind man got into the United States senate.
In 1908 he went home and reelected. When
he reached Lawton cheering crowd surrounded
the carriage and took him and his wife to their
cottage. AS after broke on the air he
turned to his wife and whispered. They don't
seem to know that it's only me-