Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-27
BORAH BOOM SAGS
IN HIS OWN STATE
Senator Highly Esteemed, But
Not Likely to Be Pressed
for Presidency.
MAY NOT BE CANDIDATE
WHEN CONVENTION MEETS
Idaho Strong for Military Prepared
ness-Is Counted in the 1916
Republican Column.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

boom of Senator William E. Borah for
the presidential nomination on the re-
publican ticket is in rather an anoma-
lous position. To employ a figure of
speech ! would say it Is on side
track, with fires banked and its stoker
uncertain whether 1t is even worth
while to get up steam.
Even in its native state the Borah
boom has not assumed vigorous form.
Col. Roosevelt has been the most ar
dent supporter of Senator Borah for the
presidential race, Notwithstanding the
fact that the colonel was furious with
the senator for not following him out
of the republican party in 1912, when
GOV. Hadley and few others refused
to walk the plank with the colonel He
has forgiven Borah. but has never
made up with Hadley and still blows
off like Vesuvius when the Missourian' S
name is mentioned.
Situation Explained.
But the point in the Borah case is
this: The belief exists among the most
influential republican leaders in Idaho.
as we'll as those in neighboring Rocky
mountain states. that the east and the
W
the far west for their presidential cam
didate, Roosevelt or no Roosevelt. They
are convinced from what they know at
first hand and through correspondence
that the states east of the MISSISSIPPI
river will select the candidate and that
he will not be a western man.
So. there is a feeling that it will be
loves labor lost to put up serious
fight for Senator Borah. More than
that, they would like to be on the band
wagon with the winning aspirant for
the nomination, if they can see it first.
Cnquestionably Senator Borah's name
will be before the convention on the
first ballot, for the complimentary vote
in the great "favorite sons" assembly,
unless the senator himself commands
otherwise.
1t would not surprise some of the
leaders in the state il the senator
should prohibit the use of his name and
devote his own energies to leading his
date with a showing of genuine
strength.
Sentiment in Other States.
1 think / have already intimated that
Utah and Wyoming are not likely to sup
port Borah, for the reason stated above,
that it would be deemed futile and they
might as well get into line with a
promising candidate when the process
sion moves. Bear in mind that consid-
erations leading up to this probable
outcome in no way reflect upon Senator
Borah nor indicate lack of esteem for
his character and ability. 1t is a utili-
tartan proposition entirely, practical
politics, looking toward accomplish
ment of an end. The senator Il; es-
teemed for his merits and beloved for
his personality all through the west
Idaho will be found in the republican n
column in 1916, according to ali indica-
tions at this time. The state is rapidly
returning to form, which is normally
republican. There is a strong under
current OF Criticism of the national ad-
ministratlon, outside OF the German
question On that issue Idaho is with
the rest of the country.
In this state is found lack of conf
dence in the democratic Congress and
measures of legislation proposed by
the executive. There is more mutter-
Ing against the administration here
than in any of the other states west OF
the Mississippi thus far visited by The
Stars correspondent
Idaho voters are very apprehensive
of what will hapen to their industries
after the war. if the tariff barriers are
still down-same condition heretofore
described in these dispatches as exist
ing in Wyoming and Utah.
Strong for National Defense.
Idaho is strong for military prepar-
edness and in that respect contrasts
notably with the corn belt of Missouri
and Nebraska. There is diverse popu-
lation in this region containing more
elements of eastern trend of mind and
perhaps, too, this mountain ozone
makes them "scrappy.' Anyhow, Ida
no will back a big navy, coast defenses
and something more than a semblance
of an army.
And what is more to the good, they
have minerals in their hills. f1ocks on
the ranges and fruit in their irrigated
valleys to help pay for it.
Don't think for a moment that be-
cause these people out here are re-
mote, geographically, they are not alive
to all world and national issues. in
point of fact, in proportion there will
be found a keener and livelier compre-
hension of MANY of the national prob
lens than in soLle of the buster, speed
crazed states of the east that feed on
the hourly extras of the yellow press.