Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 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 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 movement to make him the choice
of the convention. He declined the honor in favor
Of others. 1t shrewd move and counter
balanced the fact that he newcomer In Okla
homa. The result was that he 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 SIS 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 SIS 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 Oklahomas admission to
the Union. No man was more active in the agi-
tation But he would not go to the national capital
Il won't go to Washington till / 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" 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
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
rich va1
one banker and the other lawyer. but, however
he bled inwardy, 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.
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 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 on 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 1t in. 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 was spending about $24 week for travelling
expenses To get out of money at that stage o
the fight would have been fatal. He made from
two to four speeches 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 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 tC
get his name the primary ballot. One of hii
opponents is said to have spent $4,000.
1t grand day for Oklahoma when hei
blind man got into the United States senate
In 1908 he went home and was reelected. Wher
he reached Lawton cheering crowd surrounded
the carriage and took him and his wife to thei
cottage AS roar after roar broke on the air h
turned to his wife and whispered. "They don
seem to know that it's only me.