Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-11
May Have in Mind Dewey's Availa-
bility as a Candidate.
VIEWS OF some ADMINISTRATION MEN
Steps Taken to Prevent Evil
Consequences.
PRECAUTIONS IN OHIO

The politicians not altogether salts
fled that Admiral Dewey will not become
political factor Many receive with reser-
walton the assurance that he will 1ot be-
come a candidate for the presidency. They
do not doubt his sincerity in refusing at
this time to consider himself preside9-
tial possibility. but they not so sure
that he may not be shaken in his determi-
nation. Senator Proctor has, in a way, 1t
is said constituted himself the public guar
dian of Dewey, and Mr.. Proctor is very
clever easy-running politician. The sus-
picion is more than half formed that what
ever may be the plans of Dewey for the fu-
ture. Proctor has in his mind the possibil-
ity of the admiral being made candidate
if the proper occasion and opportunity
should arise. This suspicion is entertained
by some of President Mckinley's friends,
and they are keeping weather eye on the
senator rather than the admiral.
PrOctOr's Attitude Toward Dewey.
Dewey is to make tour both south and
west. The western tour is to be quite eA-
tended Senator Proctor is understood TO
be managing the matter, and it may very
readily be conceived, it is said, that he has
an eye to the possibilities In politics, as
we'll as tc the qualification of the public de-
sire to see the hero of Manila.
The suspicion that this is the case is
strengthened by the fact that Proctor very
pointedly antagontzes the effort TO asso-
ciate Dewey and his achievement at Ma
Mia too closely with the administration,
making him appear as the simple agency
and the result of the defined general policy
of the administration. He disputes that
the Secretary of the Navy was primarily
responsible for Dewey's being with Jhe
Asiatic squadron, and Is very insnuatng
in the suggestion that Dewey's achieve
ment was much more comprehensive than
anything contemplated by the department.
Mr. Proctor's Purpose.
II is not believed that Senator Proctor's
sole purpose in attaching himself closely to
Dewey is to take credit to himself for hav-
ing recommended his selection to command
the Asiatic squadron, and thus to shine in
the reflected light of glory. Senator Proc
tor is regarded as a practical man, possess
ing little sentiment and not attracted by
profitless notoriety. He Is a man who
calculates what Is to come out of things
knowing him as they do, polltlclans are
generally we'll satisfied that he is taking
into consideration whatever may happen.
Views of the Presidents Friends.
Some of President McKinley's friends are
convinced that he is trying to groom Dew
ey for the presidential nomination, and
they are inclined to apprehend that in time
Dewey might be influenced to change his
present attitude if promising situation
should develop. At all events, they see In
il sufficient danger to be guarded against,
and they do not propose to overlook any
movement that may be made, merely be-
cause Dewey hasn't it now in mind to be-
come a candidate. In making an indepen-
dent tour of the country and receiving the
applause of the people everywhere, they
conceive the possibility that Dewey may
come to appreciate his own popularity In a
way to excite in him political ambition.
Importance of the Ohio Fight.
1t is recognized by the Presidents friends
that republican defeat in Ohio this fall
would involve great danger to their plans
for the future. and Senator Hanna has in
interviews and the campaign managers for
Ohio have in letters urging activity taken
occasion to impress upon Ohio voters the
serious consequences of letting the Presl-
cents own state go wrong.
They feel little more security in that
quarter. however, than these apprehensive
utterances might be thought to indicate.
They know that the Bryan democrats
would not be free from apprehension should
Mclean carry Ohio and they count on the
ultra-silver democrats being more than sat
lsfied if the republican majority in Ohio is
merely reduced and Mclean is not elected.