A BLIND SENATOR.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 211, 30 May 1908, Page 12

A BLIND SENATOR.

"That was an interesting littlo . incident that occurred- the-other day in the -United • States Senate," says "Current Literature." "Tho Indian Appropriation Bill was up for consideration. Two of tho Senators had special reasons for boing interested in such a Bill; Senator Owon, of Oklahoma, rose to' his feet and began to assail tho policy of tho Committee. Senator Charles Curtis, of Kansas, rose'to his feet l to take issue with tho Senator from Oklahoma. They had it back and forth with considerable earnestness, and then Senator Gore,' of Oklahoma, roso to his feet. 'Mr. President,' ho shouted,. 'I move that tho Senate recognise tho belligerent rights.of those two Indians.' "Tho three men thus on their feet at tho same timo in the staid old Senate formed a picturesque group. Gore is totally blind, the- first blind man- who ever sat as a member of that body'. Curtis and Owen are sure enough Indians. That is to say, they have Indian blood in their veins, and maintain personal - relations with tho Indian tribes. Senator Goro was born in Mississippi, moved to Texas, and took up his residence a number of years ago in Oklahoma.. He lost one eye by an accident at tho age of eight and tho sight of tho other was ruined by another accident at tho ago of eleven. Ho could seo outlines of objocts for several years afterwards, but ho has been totally blind over since ho was' sixtoen. But ho got 'bookla rnin'' despite his loss of sight. He wont through the public schools, then through a normal school, then through tho Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tcnnessco, being valedictorian of his class and one of tho she 'graduated with tho highest honours. _ Of course ho had to havo somebody with him to read tho lessons to him. That is tho way ho has done all his reading. He onco tried to learn reading with his fingers, but quickly gave it'up. •' _ ' . ' "His one dissipation to-day, according to his wife, is books.' He doesn't smoke or drink, but a book-storo draws him as irresistibly as a saloon draws somo other men, and ho buys and buys. He loves to have a book in his hands. When ho is being read to ho wants to havo bis hands on a book, and when he is thinking out a speech ho goes into a room by himself and takeß a book to Hold. Ho is particular as to bindings, for ho knows books by tho feel of them, and if ho doesn't liko tho feel ho can't loarn to love tho book. ..... "Ho is described as a man whom it is distinctly pleasant to meet. Says a Washington journalist in tho 'Independent': 'He likos to be mot. His strong hand gives you tho roal Southern grip. Tlio face lights up with a pleasant smile, and an exceptionally musical voice convinces you at the start that you are persona grata until you- provo yourself unworthy. Tho smooth-shaven faco is decidedly classic. The lioad is largo, covercd with light brown hair, well shaped for tho vigorous .machinery it coiitains and tho material it turns out. 5 He loves trees and flowers, •especially roses and honeysuckle. But he doesn't liko oats or dogs, or animals of nny sort. Trees and flowers will 'stay put.' Cats and dogs will not. That is probably why ho dislikes thorn, Thoy add aji olemont of uncertainty to liia life."