Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-09-12

Senator William z. Borah of Idaho is
a man whom Republicans everywhere
have been watching with keen interest
and with a growing appreciation for his
ability and his earnestness of purpose.
He has been in Maine for a few days
helping the Maine Republicans in their
campaign and has filled the speaking en-
gagements which were made for him be-
fore his arrival here. Like all Republic
cans he is taking a great interest in the
election in this State and has said in his
speeches here that if Maine people could
appreciate the great influence which Mon
days election is likely to have upon the
destinies of the nation at this critical
time there wouldn't be a voter stay
away from the polls on election day.
Senator Borah is a man of wonderful
magnetism and impresses those who come
in contact with him as a most forceul
personality. He has a fine physique, the
square jaw denoting frmness and deter
mination, the high forehead of the stu
dent and thinker, and SO susceptible is he
of humor that his eyes reflect his appre-
citation of anything which interests or
amuses him. Senator Borah has the fac
upon any subject which he may discuss
He is recognized as a true progressive
and at the Chicago conventie nwas Theo-
dore Roosevet's staunchest supporter
during the turmoil and excitement of that
great contest which has brought about
so many changes in the political condi-
lions of the country.
Thursday Senator Borah was the guest
of Col Frederick Hale and accompanied
him on an automobile trip to the State
fair at Lewiston. where> he met Gov,
Haines and greatly enjoyed the opportu-
nifty of seeing something of the country
about Portland and in viewing the sights
to be witnessed at one of Names great
fairs. AS a relief from the eternal grind
at Washington Senator Borah has found
this visit to Maine a pleasing change, and
so expressed himself to representative
of the Press When he was asked con-
corning affairs at Washington, Senator
| Borah said:
'"This is supposed to be an era in
which great progress has been made
in promoting popular government and
| in which the tendency has been to
place the affairs of government more
and more into the hands of the peo-
pie. The propaganda during the last
10 years has all been with the hope
of bringing the government more COM
pletely under the control of the peo-
| pie so that they shall feel not only
| that it is their government, but that
| it is within their power to direct and
| control it, To this end have been en-
acted the direct primary laws; to this
end the constitution has been amend
| ed SO as to provide for the election
| Of United States senators by popular
vote, but it will be a startling revela
| ton to those who have believed that
great progress has been made towards
the goal which is sought when it shall
have been learned that there has
grown up in Washington within the
past two years the most complete and
remarkable piece of caucus machinery
1 have ever known or read of. The
caucus with all it's evils in its most
vicious and autocratic form is now in
absolute control of the legislative af-
fairs in Washington. Every bill of
every Importance Is shaped entirely
in caucus behind closed doors, and any
| man who assumes to incorporate any
original idea formulated outside of
the caucus, into legislation is at ONCE
denounced as a traitor to his party
and shorn of his power if it is pos
sible to do so.
Take for illustration the amend
ment which was offered by Senator
Hitchcock of Nebraska, an exception
ally able and Independent Democrat,
to the income tax bill. This amend
ment which Senator Hitchcock wished
to incorporate in the proposed bill was
to the effect that a heavy tax be laid
upon the income of any monopoly,
particularly the tobacco trust. The
aemndment in itself is not important
to illustrate what I would make plain
but what he said when he offered 1t in
the Senate is significant. He SAID, and
I am quoting from the Congressional
Record: Mr.. President, it seemed to
me to be a mistake said Senator
Hitchcock. when my party undertook
to decide upon the details of the in
come tax bill in caucus. I didn't leave
the caucus on that account l left It
when I asked the privilege to intro
duce an amendment to the bill, priv