The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-01-22
One of Worlds American
Great Men Has Passed On
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1907, and died with the insurgent
mark still on him.
His first big political role was as
floor manager for Theodore Roose-
welt In the fight TO prevent re-nom-
nation Of william Howard Taft
for president in 1912.
The Roosevelt men failed and
moved across the street in a rump
convention, which named Theodore
Roosevelt to head the Bull Moose
progressive ticket.
Borah did not 90 with them. He
went home.
Borah helped vote the United
States into the World war and into
prohibition. He supported re-
strictive immigration.
SOME REGRETS
The bill which created the labor
department as cabinet rank
agency bore his name. Farm re-
lief, reclamation, and tariff tricks
for agriculture had always his sup
port. And he was mighty foe
of the interests and monopoly.
But Borah was a man of contra
dictions. He spoke for woman
suffrage and voted against the
woman suffrage amendment to the
constitution. He favored declara-
ton Of war. but opposed the 1917
draft act and the bill to lower the
draft age to is years.
!. He probably regretted two not
able votes. cast against confirma-
ton of Louis d. Brandies for the
supreme court In 1916 and against
confirmation of Charles Evans
Hughes to be chief justice In 1880.
A DISAPPOINTMENT
Borah was an individualist,
champion Of lost causes. Fuming
at the party high command in
1928, he undertook to collect by
popular subscription a large sum
Of money received by the Repub-
lican party during the Harding ad-
ministration oil scandals from
Harry s. Sinclair. He said the
money could not be kept in honor
and decency." His expectation of
contributions was not realized.
Usually unmindful of his consti-
tuents, Borah fought for reelection
In 1896. Postmaster General James
A. Farley generally was credited
with a New Deal move to supplant
Borah In the senate with Demo-
cratic Governor c. Ben Ross.
Borah won. but only after the
nearest thing to a real fight he had
experienced in some years.
AGAINST BONUS
So-called pressure groups" got
short shrift from Borah. His state
was small In population and ne
conceived himself to be a federal
official. rather than the territorial
representative.
He could pry out a tariff hike
for Idaho against foreign notions
when necessary, but preferred the
role of constitutional lawyer to
them all.
The Idaho American Legion be-
deviled him from 1924 onward over
the soldier bonus, which he OPP
posed. When II was up again in
the senate, the home state warriors
advised him to vote for it--or else.
Go to hell" was Borah's only
reply.
KNOWN IN RUSSIA
High point in Borah's political
career probably was In 1928, when
he set the west afire for the presi-
Dental candidacy OF Herbert
Hoover. His influence waned witt
the strength Of his own party
thereafter.
Borah never went abroad. but
his influence beyond the seas wa:
great for years-until it was done
in the first New Deal administers
ton, Borah demanded recognition
of the Soviet Union.
His name and fame became SC
well known In Moscow that there
was period when prospective
visitors there preferred, and us
ually obtained. letter from Borar
over all other identification.
THE GREAT YEARS
The great years Of Borah's life
run from 1920 through 1928. when
his arms limitation resolution
seemed. actually, TO have some
promise OF bulwarlSing peace; when
he was asked by Calvin Coolidge
To aecept-his for the taking-the
vice presidential nomination Of
1924: when. as senior member and
then chairman Of the senate for
leign relations committee. he was