The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-02-06
BORAH THE HOPE OF
REPUBLICANSSAYS
EASTERN PAPER

For months the rank and file OF the
Republican party have been looking
their leadership over in the hopes OF
finding a Moses. Realizing the
depth of the wilderness into which
they have drifted, the loyal followers
OF the old organization are wonder
ing if some prophet will not rise UP
and lead them once more into sight
of the promised land.
And in this process of weighing
leadership, man after man is being
quietly examined and labeled. Roose-
welt, Cummins, La Toilette, Root and
Hughes are being measured, Their
ability and their availability for the
ing carefully considered.
There is still another leader, how
ever, who is factor in this uncertain
situation and who promises to be more
of a figure as the time draws nearer
for a final decision. Senator William
f. 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-guaged and tire
less worker. He is bound to no fac
ton and tied to no mans political
chariot
Senator Borah's politics is on abso-
lutely straight lines. HIS is a pro-
gressive Republican. He was that
kind of a Republican when he was
fighting in Idaho politics years ago.
He remained progressive when he
came to the Senate. In the last cam
paign for the Republican nomination
at Chicago Senator Borah supported
Theodore Roosevelt just as long as
the former President remained Re-
publican. The hour, however, that
Roosevelt deserted Republicanism,
that hour Borah deserted Roosevelt.
In the battle before the Republican
National Committee at Chicago to
seat Roosevelt contestants Borah,
acting under proxy, led the Roose-
Welt committeeman, Ormsby McHafg
had been commissioned to prepare the
case of the contestants, but as every
one now knows he failed miserably
and Borah had only imperfect tools
with which to combat the compact,
alright, overpowering Taft organiza-
ton.
Later on, when it became evident
to all hands that unless some COM
promise candidate were selected the
Republican party was doomed to
crushing defeat, half dozen leaders
were proposed. Hadley, Cummins,
La Toilette and Borah were suggest
ed as possible saviors of desperate
But neither Taft or Roose-
Welt would retire, and this last-stand |
expedient failed.
AT this time, as well as at that time,
out one serious objection was made to
Borah. He comes from Idaho. He |
S, therefore, geographically handicap
bed. To nominate him would bring
10 sectional strength to the Republi-
an ticket. Even though the whole
Rocky Mountain group Of states were
o rush to Borah, their aggregate
'ote in the Electoral College would
'e negligible,
1t is often remarked that if Borah |
we're from Ohio, or Indiana, or Iii
ois, or from New York, he would be
commanding figure in his party.
tut being from Idaho his friends and
dmirers will have to combat the pref
dice that exists against the nomina.
on of any candidate for the Presi-
ency who has no important regional
lpport.
And it OF course remains to be
cen whether or not this prejudice is
lrong enough to prevail against all
Their considerations. In the meantime