The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1914-01-20
B0RAH LOOMS STRONG
FOR THE PRESIDENCY
EASTERN PAPERS PLACE HIM WELL AT THE
HEAD OF LIST AS REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.
is A GREAT HONOR TO IDAHO
Only Handicap Declared to be Because of Geographic
cal Residence of the Senator-Sentiment
Strong Otherwise

II. Borah of Idaho looms up strong as
a presidential candidate despite his
handicap of geographical position is
indicated in the press of the country
at frequent intervals In the issue of
January II of the Baltimore Sun ap-
peared an article under a Washington
date line which illustrates the popular
ity of the Idaho solon and which like
wise measures Senator Borah well at
the top of the list with other promi-
mont presidential possibilities. The
following has to say of Senator Borah:
Looking for Leader.
For months the rank and file of the
republican party have been looking
their leadership over in the hope of
finding Moses. Realizing the depth
of the wilderness into which they have
drifted, the loyal followers of the old
organization are wondering if some
prophet will not rise up and lead them
once more into sight of the promised
land.
And in this process of weighing lead
ership, man after man is being quietly
examined and labeled. Roosevelt, Cum
Minis, La Toilette, Root and Hughes
are being measured. Their ability and
their availability for the next presiden-
tial nomination are being. carefully
considered.
There is still another leader, how
ever, who is factor in this uncertain
situation and who promises to be more
of figure as the time draws nearer for
final decxion. Senator William E.
Borah, of Idaho, must be given rank
with the five possibilities just named.
No republican in either branch of
Congress has made for himself more
enviable position than has Borah. He
is an able lawyer and an effective de-
batter. He is broad-gauged and tire
less worker. He is bound to no faction
ana lled 10 no man political chariot
Belongs to Progressive Wing.
Senator Borah's politics is on abso-
lutely straight lines. He is a progress
siye republican. He was that kind of
republican when he was fighting
in Idaho politics years ago. He re-
mained progressive when he came to
the senate. In the last campaign for
the republican nomination at Chicago
Senator Borah supported Theodore
Roosevelt just as long as the former
president remained a republican. Ths
hour, however, that Roosevelt deserted
republicanism, that hour Borah de-
serted Roosevelt
In the battle before the republican
national committee at Chicago, to seat
Roosevelt contestants Borah, acting
under a proxy, led the Roosevelt COM
mitteemen. Ormsby McHarg had been
commissioned to prepare the case of
the contestants, but as everybody now
knows he failed miserbly and Borah
had only imperfect tools with which to
combat the compact, alright, over
Taft organization.
Later on, when is became evident to
all hands that unless some compromise
candidate were selected the republican
party was doomed to a crushing defeat
lalf a dozen leaders were proposed
iadley, Cummins, La Toilette and
3orah We're suggested as possible saw
ors of desperate situation But nei-
her Taft. not Roosevelt would retire
md this last-stand expedient failed.
Under Geographical Handicap.
"At this time, as well as at that time.
tut one serious objection was made to
3orah. He comes from Idaho. He is,
therefore,, geographically handicapped.
o nominate him would bring no sec
ional strength to the republican ticket.
lven though the whole Rocky Noun
ain group of states were to rush TO
'orah, their aggregate vote in the cleo
oral college. would be negligible
1T is often remarked that if Borah
'ere from Ohio, or Indiana. or Illinois.
+ from New York, he would be
figure in his party. But
eing from Idaho his friends and ad-
llrers Will have to combat the pre-
ldlce that exists against the nomina-
on OF any candidate for the presi-
ancy who has no important regional
lpport.
And 1t of course remains to be seen
neither or not this prejudice is stron2
lough to prevail against ell other con
derations. In the meantime Borah
'ntinues to grow in the esteem ~ his
lrty associates and to assume a lar
n share of his party's burdens in
e senate"