The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-04-30
: Presidential Campaign Portraits-No. 10
Senator William E. Borah
Borah, the Embossed, Still Far
From White House

agreement" by which they were sent
into that country.
Has Time For Study
The fact that Senator Borah rep
resents one of the smallest states
in the Union-there are fewer PEG.
pie in all Idaho than there are in
few city blocks in New York or
Chicago-allows him a freedom of
time for the study of national and
international questions. Also, he is
not faced with worries about po-
litical expedience. as Idaho accepted
Borah as an institution in such a
manner as would seem to guaran-
tee his reelection perpetually.
This allowed him time, for ex-
ample, to learn to read Spanish 1T
81 so he could better understand
Latin-American problems.
Like the Washington Monument
and the Lincoln Memorial, Senator
Borah is one of the "show places
of Washington. In whispers, the
capitol guides point him out to
tourists from the Senate galleries.
There he sits at his fla;-topped
desk on the Republican side Of the
center aisle, four rows back from,
the vice presidents rostru,n. His
wealth of wavy, dark holr is parted
in the middle; his broad face is
creased with deep lines; bushy
brows overhang a pair of keenly
penetrating blue eyes. His hab:tu-
ally gloomy expression seldom
changes. He is 63 years old, and
looks every day Of It.
When Borah, stocky of build and
generous of frame, stands up ia
speak there is something about him
that reminds one of d huge bear
it is an instantaneous impression
that even the stranger cannot es-
cape.
Not a Fiery Orator
Borah, admittedly one of tie SEN
ate's greatest orators. IS no fam
ing. fiery speaker He does not
shout, yell. bang the desk, or make
motions like a man going tn, ough
his morning exercises. Emphasis
is limited to an occasional SHAKE OF
his bushy head or slight pause
ever so delicate-just before word
that he wishes to stress.
A political recluse, Senator Borah
is much the same socially. He ac.
cepts few Of the invitations for din.
ner engagements and the like, with
which every prominent man in
Washington is showered by artful
diplomats and aspiring hostesses
He maintains q home in neither
Washington nor in Boise, Idaho, liv.
ing in a small hotel apartment al
each place. He does not drink Of
smoke, although he chews gum.
Plain in actions as he is in looks
Borah rides to and from the capitol
every day on the street cars, OTTER
Juggling heavy load Of books. under
his arm. He does not own an auto.
mobile. 90 when the White House
wants him for an important consult.
alton on foreign affairs it has t.
send one Of the presidents linou.
sines for him.
But Borah owns q horse. fina
animal named Governor" He j,
q familiar. but solitary, figure aionl
the bride paths in Rock Greek
Park.
Once Had tuberculosis
Fate and an incipient case Of tu
berculosis, long since shaken off ex
Rain why Borah comes from Idaho
He was born il Wayne count,
Illinois, July 20. 1866, the son 8
. Presbyterian farmer Of Moder
ate meaHt. His fathers sncestrs
was German, his mothers lrjfh. NJ
u se left the farm 70 eater South
ern lhinois Academy, st Eafiell
now defunet. While there lis healti
began to fail. He had : msyvic
sister living in Lawrsuee, Kan, AZ
~ theueht the climato thor1 ,wouil
b better for hin.