Evening star., 1940-01-20
American Foreign Policy Senator'S Chief Interest

Last year, however, the Senator
was reported wrong. That was
when he was supposed to have told
President Roosevelt that private
sources"-superior to the State De-
partment's missions-had assured
him that there would be no war in
Europe in 1899. The President made
q sly reference to this incident in
his address opening the current ses-
sion Of Congress.
Satisfied to Be Senator.
After he became Senator, Mr.. Borah
never sought any other Office. In
1896 he was an unsuccessful candi-
date for the House Of Representatives
as a free silver Republican Bryanite.
Then in 1908 he ran for the Sen
atorship, receiving % of the neces-
sary So Idaho legislative votes for
that Office. It was related that he
refused a trade" at that time which
might have given him the needed
margin. Four years later he won
the post and the Legislature re-
elected him in January, 1918. He
won popular majorities In the No.
vember elections of 1918, 1924 and
1890.
He virtually declined the vice
presidential nomination with Cool
idge in 1924 and turned down earlier
an opportunity to become Repub-
lican leader of the Senate under
Harding.
In the National Capital, he took
little part in the social life, prefer
ring to spend his leisure hours with
a book or on solitary horseback rides
in Rock Greek Park. He was a total
abstainer from alcoholic drinks, to-
bacco, coffee and tea.
At 80 he married Miss Mary
Mcconnell, daughter of former
Governor of Idaho. Mrs. Borah
was frequently in the society head
lines, entertaining foreign digni-
taries, who never missed seeing heI
husband on visits to Washington.
The Senator was greatly moved
by and grateful for the efforts o1
the public health service in 1882 ir
rushing serum to save the life o1
Mrs. Borah who became Ill witt
parrot fever in Boise.
Native of Illinois.
Mr.. Borah was born at Fairfield
ILL.,, June 20, 1865. went through
Southern Illinois Academy ant
studied law at the University o
Kansas. He began practice a
Lyons, Kans.-but his eyes sool
turned westward.
He started out for the Yves
Coast, travelling by coach and wit
only a few dollars in his pocket
A newly-made friend persuaded hir
to stop in Boise, Idaho. to look TO
a Job.
The young man stayed SO Ion
In Boise, making q fruitless canva
, Of law Offices, that he did not hav
enough money to get to the coas
; So he settled down there an
> started his own law practice.
That was In 1891 and within
!. few years the young lawyer was
= national figure. This fame cam
, during the trial Of Haywood, Petit
2 bine and Meyer, of1cials Of tn
Western Federation Of Miners VIII
were accused Of plotting the assas
= sination OF Frank 'Steunenberl
;, former Governor Of Idaho.
Scored Over Darrow.
Opposing Prosecutor Borah We
. . the famed Clarence Darrow-wh
expected no such opposition as !
got. Their forensic duel brougt
newspaper reporters from far avs
: and Mr.. Borah was made famous.
q In the Senate during the ear
o years, he was generally believed
s be q radical"
Il No bloc of voters ever intimiats
n Senator Borah, for he held to h
principles no matter what Il
e threats-then left it to his constit,
Y ents to decide whether he had bet
It right. Many believe his trait mi
e have cost him the presidency-al
d certainly 1t came close to costh
d him his Senate seat once.
| That was when he oppoe