The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-24
Thinks Attack on Him Over
Transfer of Home
POLITICIANS WORK.
Warming Friends We're Received
Most COldly
When They Spoke of the Jug
Cling of the Property.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 24.-Admiral
Dewey to some friends today echoed
the sentiment expressed by John r.
Mclean, his brother-in-Iaw, that an
explanation of the attack made upon
him over the transfer of the house
given to him by the American people to
his wife might be found in a political
cabal. He said he proposed to verify
or disprove his suspicious upon this
point, and if his suggestions proved
correct he might reconsider his inten-
ton not to take part in politics.
Much as he resents it, Admiral Dewey
can not escape discussion. His claim
that when he retired to live in Wash
ingtOn he became private citizen Is
not admitted He is the ranking officer
in the United States navy and next to
the president of the United States in
military precedence.
There has been most considerate
treatment of Admiral Dewey in all di-
rections. His troubles and sufferings
are commanding pity, but he has fallen
from the high pedestal of herolsm to
which his victory in Manila bay ele-
waited him by disclosing the fact that,
like other sailors before" he is liable
to err in judgment.
Dewey in this affair has not acted
braVely or consistently. His courage in
battle is unquestioned, but he has been
put on the run by swift criticism that
has been almost merciless in its discern
[. a
week before tAat the admiral intended
to deed his house to Mrs. Dewey. 1t
was known because the deed for the
transfer was ordered with an abstract
of title from one of the real estate as
SOciatiOnS in this city. The attempt to
dispOssesS himself of all claim to for
tune by laying the peoples gift at the
feet of his bride was considered roman
tic, but not sensible. The stories which
have been circulated of breach of prom
Use cases and suits with Matchmaking
purposes are not true. Admiral Dewey
listened to advice which made him
think it a chivalrOus act to give his
wife all that he possessed.
MISTAKE FORESEEN.
There was much talk in club circles
and in official quarters concerning the
mistake everybody saw that Dewey
was about to make. In one of the clubs
to which he belongs a meeting of
friends was held and an agreement
reached to dlSSuade Dewey from the
act he contemplated. A rear admiral
was selected to persuade his chief that
Mrs. Dewey needed no addition to her
wealth and that to deed his home even
to his wife would be to provoke cen
sure. The officer selected for this mis-
sion failed to fulfill his instructions.
He explained afterWard that he could
not go to Admiral Dewey on a matter
that must in most aspects be consider
ed from purely a personal view point.
Consequently, there. was no warning
from the friends Of many years, who
nevertheless felt apprehensiVe.
Similar anxiety for Dewey existed in
newspaper circles. Efforts were made
to get the denial from the admiral for
the proposed transfer of the property.
Every advance of this nature, meant
in the most sincere friendship, was
colby checked. Some persons were
haughtily dismissed for alleged i'm
pertinence, and the proud attitude of
the quarterback toward subOrdinates
kindled a fire of resentment that has
developed in quarters to the humilia-
ton of those who could have saved
themselves by a single word of ex-
PLANTATION.
So careful were the correspondents
about publishing the Dewey transfer
they went to the members of the COM
mittee composed of officials in the de-
partments who had charge of the money
to buy the Dewey home. These Off
Gals disclaimed any knowledge of the
rumOred transfer, and frankly stated
their disbelief in such a programme.
Their attempts to secure Dewey's con-
fidence were also repulSed. The sub
ject was treated in the Dewey house
hold as a private affair, and it was
given neither affirmation nor cOntradic-
ton until the deed was filed and made
a matter of public record.
The Intervention of the private secre-
tary to convey the property from
Dewey to his wife was understood in
the district, where the laws prevent a
direct conveyance. But the storm of
indignation was almost spontaneous.
Dewey's marriage has had in it none of
the elements of romance. The people
We're cOldly jealous when he took unto
himself a partner beyond the age of
sentiment The marriage was recOg-
niZed in the light of a business trans
action. Whether true or not, Dewey
was accused of holding silent about his
wedding until he had secured his house
from the people. Had it been known
that he was to marry a woman worth