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William E. Borah: The Lion of Idaho

by Ray Hill | Jan 6, 2013 | Archives, Columnist, Hill, Ray Hill's Archives

By Ray Hill William Edgar Borah was one of the most celebrated members of the United States Senate during his time.  Enormously popular in his state of Idaho, Borah was an impressive orator, regularly filling the Senate galleries when he spoke and his speeches were...

Burton K. Wheeler of Montana

by Ray Hill | Dec 23, 2012 | Archives, Columnist, Hill, Ray Hill's Archives

By Ray Hill Few members of the United States Senate had as colorful or stormy a career as Burton Kendall Wheeler of Montana.  The fact Wheeler came to represent Montana in the Senate in the first place was an accident of fate, as Wheeler had been born in Hudson,...

The Senate’s Dandy: James Hamilton Lewis of Illinois

by Ray Hill | Dec 16, 2012 | Archives, Columnist, Hill, Ray Hill's Archives

By Ray Hill It seems highly unlikely anyone could be elected to any office today if he or she exhibited just a few of the eccentricities that were a part of James Hamilton Lewis.  Lewis was even for his time somewhat eccentric in his appearance and dress, but he...

Senator Ellison DuRant Smith of South Carolina

by Ray Hill | Dec 9, 2012 | Archives, Columnist, Hill, Ray Hill's Archives

By Ray Hill Ellison DuRant Smith was one of the more colorful figures in South Carolina’s oftentimes turbulent political history.  It was frequent said, “His name is Ellison DuRant Smith and he sure do rant.”  More commonly, he was known simply as “Cotton Ed.” E. D....

Robert Rice Reynolds of North Carolina

by Ray Hill | Dec 2, 2012 | Archives, Columnist, Hill, Ray Hill's Archives

By Ray Hill In a time when the South had some of the most flamboyant politicians in the country, few exceeded Robert Rice Reynolds of North Carolina for his flair.  Over time, Reynolds’s penchant for flair degenerated into buffoonery, a condition few politicians can...

Senator Walter F. George: George of Georgia

by Ray Hill | Nov 25, 2012 | Archives, Columnist, Hill, Ray Hill's Archives

By Ray Hill Walter F. George was, during his time, one of the most respected and powerful members of the United States Senate. Senator George was a man of innate, if not somewhat exaggerated, dignity; even his wife, Miss Lucy, referred to him as “Senator George.”...
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