The Washington herald., 1911-11-05
THOSP.GORE, BLIND MANWHO CONQUERED

dollars and a half. A negro porter at q
railway station stopped him. I can pay
out coin without any trouble, but all pa
per money feels alike to a blind man"
Tell me about an average day in
your work and life as a Senator"
Il read the morning newspapers-that
Is, my brother reads them to me- Then
I go to my office and answer my let
ters. II there are no sessions of the
committees Of which I am a member
I remain IN my office until the meeting
Of the Senate, at noon. After the Senate
adJourns, answer the Eetters that have
come during the day. The evening
give up to books. Mrs. Gore does the
reading.
Cannot Read for Pleasure.
Il like all kinds Of literature, poetry.
science. and fiction, but reading aloud
cannot be done quickly and I am COM
PEELED, therefore, to confine myself to
the books that are Of use to me in my
work-history and political economy. 7
am Interested in the tariff question, IN
currency and in banking, and those are
the subjects to which give most Of nv
time and reflection. My tariff views can
be stated in one short sentence: Trade
Is good, not bad I would Just as soon
fin a harbor with rocks and prevent
ships coming In as I would enact laws
that hindered commercial transactions
between nations"
What are your personal pleasures?"
inquired.
I don't care for anything EXCEPT read
ing.O Physical exercise is beneficial 7
suppose but 1 have never tried It, not
even 10 walk to my office in the morn
ing. Edward Everett, the great orator.
salo tnat he did not stand when he could
SIT, nor sit when he could lie down.
follow him to he last item on the pro-
gramme, l should lie down. too, perhaps.
II could think when am on my back"
Returning to your early nfe,' I said.
you began your practice in Mississippf?''
Yes; my nrst client, an old school
! mate, was accused OF murder He was
| discharged on the second trial of the
case. Then I defended a burglar. But
Walthall was a small place There was
little chance to obtain a lucrative prac-
tice and no chance whatever to get to
the United States Senate. Conseuuently
moved to Texas"
Did you have any hard times" I in
| terrupted him to ask, during your first
days at the barr"
Times were so hard that I shall not
| talk about them. Men with cases-and
all cases are important to the persons
concerned-do not care to intrust their
| interests to a blind lawyer I found
Texas filled with lawyers. SenatoriaIly,
| the situation was hopeless. When a strip
of country 100 miles long and 20 miles
wide was opened by lottery in Oklahoma
I Joined the great army of rustlers. Mrs.
Gore and my father went with me. Law
| ton sprang out of the grass. It was a
city of tents at first. was there when
the tents went up, and Lawton has been
my home ever since.
1T was suggested that I run for the
| National House of Representatives.
meant to be a Senator. however. and de-
! clined to be a candidate Travelling the
| Territory at every opportunity, I made
| addresses to farmers, school-teachers,
| politicians, church members, merchants,
and workingmen, and became personally
acquainted with almost everybody. That
| was my object. A number of strong men
became candidates against me for the
| Senate, but I was nominated at State
| wids election.
'T spent s1,10O. Every penny Of 1t was
borrowed"
Copyright, 1911, by James B. MorroE)