Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-05-03
DOES NOT BELIEVE
BORAH'S DECISION
TO RETIRE is FINAL

The views Of James H. Gipson of
Caldwell on the decision of Senator
Borah to retire at the expiration Of
his term were inadvertently omitted
yesterday from a Caldwell dispatch.
Mr.. Gipson detailed his attitude in the
following manner:
The published announcement of
Senator Borah's intention to retire
| from public life at the close of his
present term is very disappointing
news. The nation and the state need
men of his ability now. and the need
for his services will in all probability
be even greater two years from today.
Il do not believe that the senator's
decision can be regarded as absolutely
final, for great public pressure exerted
upon man in Senator Borah's position
is often effective in inducing a change
in plans. I think it possible that the
senator might be induced to accept an
other term were his nomination papers
filed by two or three thousand of his
fellow citizens, and his reelection
brought about without his own person
al efforts, and this very thing is more
than likely to happen.
THE fact is, and the people of Idaho
generally realize it, Senator Borah is
the one commanding figure in the Uni
ted States senate from the west, and
by the west ! mean that portion of
America on this side of the Mississippi.
Governor Johnson of California will TO
doubt secure general recognition in due
time, for his achievements in public
life as governor of California lead us
to expect that he will be among the
most influential and liberal leaders in
the senate after few years of service,
but right now the strong man from the
west is Borah, and his influence there
is needed by the west generally, and by
Idaho in particular.
HARD TO KEEP BIG MEN.
I'VE have heard it so often stated
that Borah's presence in the senate Of
the United States contributes measur-
ably to raise the intellectual level Of
that august body, and it is a fact.
There are plenty of mighty good men
there, but very few of Senator Borah's
ability. The simple fact is that The
average man with Borah's mind and
training can earn from $50 900 to $780,
600 year in private life, free from the
incessant turmoil and interminablc
squabbles that appear to be incident
to political career, and for that rea-
son but few really big men get into
the senate and remain long enough 10
be really efficient public servants.
some historian, ] believe 1t was
Macaulay, in prophesyng the downfall
of the American republic, wrote that il
would be brought about through the in
ability of the country. under its pres
ent form of government to secure and
hold the services of men of first-rate
ability, and if Senator !3orah retires it
be, in some measure at least con-
firmation of this theory.
TIRES OF OPPOSITION.
THE motives that could have influ- 4
enced the senator in making this an |
nouncement at this time are difficult !
TO fathom. ] was informed that he H
had received some very flattering Of 4
fers to enter great law firm in New 1
York City, at salary equal to that /
paid the president of the United States.
but do not believe that mere money
would weigh very heav Il
lily with him. 1t is more probable that
the senator had grown tired of the
continued opposition of vociferous r.
not very influential section of his own
party. He may have further felt that II
his vote on the consumption bill would l|
be decidedly unpopular back here. and 4
concluded to forestall criticism by re- il
firing. Whatever the reasons. his deci-
sion will be bitter blow to thousands 4
of Idahoans. and I am not inclined to
believe that people will allow him to go
making the most strenuous ef
forts to keep him with us. Every one
who believes as ] do that Borah's re- i
tirement from the senate will be a dis
tinct loss to the state and to the ma Il
ton should write the senator and urge
not to make any hasty decision on o