American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-05-20
Turns Toward BOrah in
Eastern States

BY eliminating himself, as 1t is be-
lieved Justice Hughes has done by his
refusal to permit his friends to push
him as a candidate for the Republican
nomination of president of the United
States, strength has been added to Sen
ator William Z. Borah of Idaho, in
whose behalf strong men in the New
England and other eastern states are
earnestly working with aim of con-
verting opinion among Republicans
that he is the logical candidate of the
party for the presidency. . This fact
is brouht out in an article appearing
in the Philadelphia Public Ledger, cop
les of which have been received in
Boise. This article s as follows:
Formal announcement today by Jus
tee Hughes, that as a member of the
Supreme Court, he is not available as
a possible candidate for the Republi-
can nomination for president and can
not permit the use of his name, is GER
tain to have a big effect in New Eng
land. Republican leaders said today
in commenting on the announcement:
In some parts of New England there
has been considerable Hughes senti-
ment, growing out of a conviction that
he was, perhaps, of all the Republican
possibilities, the man best suited to the
task of welding together once more
the two parts of the party split asund-
er In 1912. He would have been &C
ceptable to the regulars" while his
independence would have suited the
progressive element of the party. Be-
cause of Justice Hughes announce
ment Republican sentiment for Sen
ator Borah is gaining strength.
Justice Hughes was particularly
strong in Vermont. The Burlington
Free Press which speaks for progress
i've Republ,canism in that state re-
Gently said: IF the Republicans of
Vermont could have their choice,
Charles e. Hughes would be the next
president of the United States" There
have also been indications Of Hughes
sentiment In New Hampshire and in
Maine, in both of which states, the Re-
publicans are determined to declare in
favor of a Progressive nominee in 1916.
In Massachusetts his name has been
frequently heard where candidates
have been discussed.
There had been until today, a feeling
among the rank and file that the de-
mand of his party might become SO
strong as to induce Justice Hughes to
alter the determination not to run,
which he expressed SO forcibly in 1912.
1t was recalled here today that what
was possibly the earliest statement as
to the presidency by Justice Hughes
was made on May 10, 1912, when he au-
thorized from Washington, a denial of
a report which had been given wide
circulation, that he had written a let
ter to a member of the Young Repub-
lican Club of Brooklyn, stating that he
would not at present, under any cir
cumstances, become a candidate for
| president, but would get into the fight
if President Taft desired him to do SO.
In this connection 1t was declared, pre-
sumably on the authority of Justice
Hughes that he would consider it
highly improper for a member of the
supreme court to become a candidate
for political office and that under no
circumstances would he accept the Re-
publican nomination."
His position was emphasized later In
an interview with Justice Hughes
gave at Lake Placid. New York, on
June 18. 1912, in which he said he had
informed friends In New York and the
party leaders in Chicago hat he would
not under any circumstances permit
the supreme court of the United States
to be brought into politics and that he
would not accept the nomination If it
were offered to him.
Believing that Justice Hughes stood
today precisely where he stood in 1912
New England politicians have not SER
iously considered him as a candidate.
How his formal declination will affect
the prospects of other candidates has
been the subject of considerable spec
ulation.
1t is said here today by an unusually
well informed politician that Senator
Borah's recent cryptic statement in
which he announced his receptive can
didacy without actually %proclaiming
himself a candidate, was issued out of
courtesy 10 Justice Hughes. II would
not be regarded as surprising, if now
that Justice Hughes has declined to
follow in the footsteps of Chief Justice
Chase, Senator Borah would permit of
a broader Interpolation being put ON
his statement. Indeed. Senator Borah's
lrlenuS III new England are expected
to become more aggressive in pushing
his claims as the most available Re-
publican of Progressive type, and it is
believed that the elimination of JUS
tice Hughes will react favorably to the
Idaho senator.
Hughes sentiment i'm Vermont, and
perhaps in Maine, may very possibly
crystalize shortly on Borah. In Mas
sachussetts Senator Weeks can have
the Bay state delegates instructed for
him II he becomes a candidate.
AS a native son of New Hampshire
he will very likely have the support of
that state, and could probably get the
backing of most Of the New England
delegates II he sought them. In that
event, Senator Borah, as things look
now, would stand an excellent chance
OF being the second choice candidate
of this section.
This sentiment is expected to come
to a head when Senator Weeks takes
the stump In Massachusetts for the Re-
publican ticket this fall.
The strength OF Justice Hughes in