The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1915-04-29
BORAH DESIRES TRI-
uMPh OF PARTY
But Says Progressive Policies
Must Be Advocated and
Standpatters Eliminated

nomination" in 1916 has thrust hin
deliberately in the limelight, not be-
cause he has eliminated himself from
the presidential contest, but because
he announces that the time has come
for plain speaking, intimating that
he himself has something Of import
ance to say.
Just what Senator Borah has in
mind; what political course he intends
to pursue, and what line Of "plain
talkin" he plans to indulge in, he has
not yet made plain; hence specula-
ton among politicians. Senator Bor-
abs friends, however, believe they
know his purpose, which is essential
ly to wage fight, entirely within the
Republican party, to place that party
on progressive basis, with progress
sive leaders, and to wrest control, or
what remains Of it, from the hands of
the old standpat leaders who were in
charge when the party went down to
defeat.
The reports current in many quar-
tiers that the old guard is planning to
again assume control of the Repub-
lican party, reached Senator Borah,
with others, and he is thought to give
credence to those reports. That is a
subject on which the Idaho senator
feels deeply; he is bitterly opposed to
going into another campaign with
men like Penrose, Barnes, Gallinger
or Cannon at the helm. He is heart
lily in favor of Republican amalgama-
ton, but the rehabilitated party, he
believes, should be of progressive
stamp, with leaders who would be in
sympathy with progressive plat
form.
In the absence of any statement
from Senator Borah, it is not known
definitely what his plans are for the
future, but it is assumed that he in
tends, during the coming year, to
wage determined fight against the
plans Of the old guard, If they mate
rialize as he anticipates. For the Re-
publican party next year to nominate
any man heretofore identified with
the stand-pat wing of the party would
in Senator Borah's opinion, result in
another Republican defeat; he is sat
isied no such candidate could be
elected. On the other hand, if some
strong Republican, acceptable to both
wings of the party should be NOM
mated, he believes the chance Of sue
cess would be exceptionally good.
Senator Borah at no time announc-
ed himself candidate for the Re-
publican nomination, but he has been
prominently and frequently mention
ed among the men available, and
there has been a strong spontaneous
sentiment in his favor, especially in
the west and south. During recent
months the senator has been flooded
with letters from all parts Of the
country, urging him to become can
didate, and pledging him support, and
it is largely because Of these appeals
that the senator felt called upon to
make any announcement at this time.
In going out deliberately to fight !
the stand-pat leaders-and that is Z
what Senator Borah unquestionably =
intends to do If they persist in their
attempt to grab control of the Repub- I
liean party-the senator undoubtedly =
felt he could make better and more +
effective fight if it was based upon a y
desire to help the party, rather than
to further his own political fortunes. .
Furthermore, Senator Borah has not )
been misled by the swarm of appeals =
and pledges of support that have come 9
to him unsolicited from so many diff 9
ferent quarters. He realizes the handi- !,
cap under which he rests, especially :
geographically, and is aware of the .
political advantage to the party in
nominating man from large and
populous state. And generally the
senator is credited with sincerity in !,
his announcement of purpose. a
More than this, Senator Borah is e
said to realize that as an unhamper- 81
ed campaigner he can probably ac- c,
comphsh more in his fight for a prin- b.
ciple than he could accomplish were f
he making the fight as candidate m
"a candidate is slave" to quote his ii
own words. In the fight he plans to 81
make he does not wish to be shack in
led, nor does he wish to be in a posi- c,
tion where anything he may say or do tC
may be criticised as being prompted b,
by selfish motives. What Senator
Borah wants, more than all else, is to
see Republican victory in 1916. He
believes victory can only come in the is
event the party makes wise nominal C
ion and selects man who can have ii
the backing of both factions. He be- h,
ieves now, as he did in 1912, that m
whatever differences there are among B
should be settled in the ii