The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-25
Lieutenant Rees, Who Was With
the Famous Admiral
During the Memorable Battle in
Manila Bay,
GIVEN A RECEPTION
6y Both Branches of the Kansas
Legislature.
He Accepts 1t as a Tribute to
His Chief.


Olympia, Dewey's flagship, a gracious
reception, greeting him with applause
as the party entered the main door.
Escorted by Maj. Anderson, Lieut.. Rees
walked to the desk of President Rich
ter and was by him introduced to the
senators. Another outburst of applause
greeted him.
President Richter said:
''It is a great honor to me to intro
duce Lieut.. Rees, who was with Dewey
at Manila Bay
Lieut.. Rees said: ct am very glad to
be here. 1 deem it a great honor and a
distinction which 1 will cherish fondly
all my life. However, assure you, had
1 known such an arrangement had been
made, 1 would have taken another pas
sage, as L have no desire to pose as a
hero. However, I take it that this is a
method chosen by the legislature to
honor Admiral Dewey, one of the
worlds greatest heroes. (Cheers) 1
have been with him and am pleased to
convey to him the mark of respect
shown me because 1 come from him"
The senate then took a recess of ten
minutes, while Mr.. Rees shook hands
with the senators and their friends.
IN THE HOUSE.
From the senate Lieutenant Rees was
"A
of visitors were present on the floor
and as he entered the main entrance
the entire assembly, both representa-
tives and visitors, broke into cheers.
seat beside Speaker Osborn by the
Loyal Legion committee.
When the cheers had subsidized suf-
ficiently Speaker Osborn arose and said:
THE people of this country believe
that every man who took part in the
battle of Manila Bay was a hero.
(Nheers) 1 have the honor of presenting
to you the executive officer who stood
on the bridge of the flagship Olympia
by the side of that greatest of Ameri-
can heroes, Admiral Dewey, during
that memorable enga cement
Then there were more cheers, and
Lieutenant Rees said in response:
1T is not of my own choosing that I
appear before you in this manner. 1 do
not pose as a herO-I don't think 1
would make success of it. For some
reason or other wherever go receive
this same kind of a reception, simply be-
cause happened to have part in that
battle over there. Up at Salina a few
days ago 1 was Informed that they were
getting up a reception for me, and 1
took the first train out of town. When
got over to Minneapolis found a lot
of people waiting for me and I had to go
through a reception and banquet over
there. But l am heartily proud of this
reception you have given me. I realize
that in sense L represent your hero,
Dewey.
Il entirely agree with what your pre-
siding officer has said concerning Dewey,
for certainly consider him the greatest
naval hero of the age. In the battle of
Manila Bay I think he won the most
remarkable achievement in the history
of this world. The enemy had a force
equal to or greater than ours. They
had more ships, more guns-counting
those on shore which fought against
us-and they had 1900 men to our 1. 700,
yet in two hours Dewey annihilated
that entire fleet without the loss of a
single life"
AS Lieutenant Rees sat down Major
Remington stepped up and proposed
three cheers and a tiger for the gallant
Dewey and every man who was with
him. and they were given with will.
An informal reception followed during
which time the members of the house
and many of the visitors filed past the
speakers stand and shook the naval
hero by the hand
After visiting the supreme court Lieu
tenant Rees and his party returned to
the Throop hotel.
In the party were Mrs. Rees and son,
and Frank Rees of Minneapolis, a
brother of the lieutenant. He was also
accompanied, of course. by his brother,
Captain J. G.. Rees, of Anderson county,
and his nephew, r. r. Rees, of Ottawa
county, both of whom are members of
the house.