Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-06-08

Idaho will lose the services of its
senior senator on the third OF March,
1919, when he will have completed
his second term.
William Edgar Borah-is
an interesting personality The in
termountain states have sent no 9TH
quite so conspicuously in the affairs
OF the nation and the politics of the
country Warren, of wyoming, who
is completing his third term, having
for four years, has attained higher
committee rank, thanks to uninter
rupted tenure; Clark, OF the same
state, has been similarly favored
Smoot, of Utah, who has worn the
toga for IA years. has been active
and potent in party councils, always
though identified with the standpat
wing and handicapped by prejudice
against Mormonism; Walsh, of Mon
tana, successor to the picturesque
Tom Carter, has won real distinction
on the other side of the chamber
for sheer ability during his initial
term, while Mondel, WyominR's sol
itary representative In the house for
over two decades, has steadily grown
in usefulness. Other statesmen from
the region contiguous to the Rockies
have come and gone and left their
marks in the halls OF fame. Borah.
however, through the remarkable
area Of the really twentieth century.
which has made and unmade so
many statesmen, has been the UNIQUE
and distinctive figure at Washington
from the intermountain states.
A strange trend OF abnormal poll
tics contrived to give him eminence
and, in fair season and foul. to mark
him as man Of the hour.
An insurgent in 1912, he yet main
tanned his regularity. Not for Taft
he refused to take the stump against
Taft For Roosevelt in the preIimi-
nary struggle, he declined to follow
Roosevelt outside the G.. o. P. breast
works. His role was enigmaticaI
Critics said he was neither fish. flesh
nor good red herring. AS a matter Of
fact, unable to attune himself OF cha
otto conditions and easily foreseeina
the defeat Of both Taft and Roose.
welt, he wisely waited for the storm
to blow over Then, depIoring the
untoward happenings, he promntIv
espoused the cause Of the newborn
retuvenated Republican party. reor-
ganized on progressive lines. and
eounseied a getting-together for the
good OF the nation His became a
name to conjure with. Progressives
all over the country immediately
showed willingness to follow his
lead. He preached reform within the
party and deprecated internecine
strife. To the attitude of Borah
Cummfns and lesser lights OF their
advanced political school was due. In
great measure. the quick rallying of
the long dominant party after the
Waterloo Of four years ago and the
remarkable qualification in support
of Hughes.
Why Is Borah determined to give
up his seat In the United States sen
ate?
Certainly. at SO and with political
fortune seemingly disposed to smile
upon him, he does not contemplate
abandoning public life altogether!
An enigma IN 1912. he is an enig-
ma now, but he is, no doubt. acting
deliberately today as ne acted DELHI
erately then. He is too wise and
far-sighted, too we'll balanced and
too ambitious. to be governed IN his
course OF conduct by within or inn.
pulse.
Questioned as TO the prompting
reason OF his announced intention ia
retire. IN chance conversation, al
Washington. a fortnight ago. he ans.
wered that he felt that the senate No
longer offered him the best field OF
endeayor. AS to his plans he was