The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-20
THE ADMIRAL WAS ALL RIGHT.
THE SAVANNAH COMMITTEES RE-
CEPTION A MOST PLEASANT ONE.


mIttee for an Hour and "A Half in
Pleasant COnversation-Is DESTROYS
of Visiting Savannah and Agreed
10 DO SO This Winter-EIe Does Not
Think Army md Navy Men Make
Good Presidents-Is Thoroughly OF
the Opinion Tint This Country
should Retain Possession of the
Philippines.
Chairman George w. Tiedeman and Col
]. II. Estill of the Dewey Invitation Com
mittee, returned from Washington yester-
day morning. They bring back a glowing
account Of their trip. Not only was their
reception by the Admiral most pleasant
and cordial one. but he assured them OF his
desire to visit Savannah, and accepted the
invitation with the condition that he should
be allowed to name a later date for his
visit some time in December or January.
OF the other two members Of the commit
tee Mr.. Leopold Adler went on to New
York, where ne will spend several days on
business, while Capt. D. G. Purse remain
ell over in Washington for a day or two
"Our trip proved 20 be a thoroughly sat-
isfactory one in every respect" said Mr..
Tiedeman. I'VE reached Washington at I
O clock yesterday morning. Our appoint
ment with Admiral Dewey was for u
O'Clock, but as Capt. Purse had letter of
Introduction to the Admiral from President
McKinley's secretary. ii was decided that
he should call upon the Admiral and pre-
sent his letter at O'Clock, thus paving the
way for our reception. This was done
with very happy effect. Admiral Dewey
told Capt. Purse to bring the committee
up right away. and we lost no time in get
ting there. Our reception was all that
could be asked The Admiral was exceed
ingly cordial and greeted US in the most
friendly manner possible. After stating
the object of our visit we entered into
general conversation which continued for
an hour and half, and most enjoyable
hour and a half IL was for us. The Adj
miral is a very entertaining talker, and it
was quite a treat to hear him discuss his
varied experiences from Manila bay to his
reception by the American people
When Chairman Tiedeman stated the
business of the committee and extended
the hospitality of Savannah TO Admiral
Dewey the latter declared that it would
be impossible for him to accept. 1T Is
out of the question, gentlemen, ne eX-
claimed. Invitations like this nave Deeh
pouring in on me from all over the conn
try and I have been compelled 10 refuse
them all Chicago is mad because / did
rot go there, and Philadelphia will be in
the same boat" The Admiral explained
that he had only agreed to go to Atlanta
because of his high regard for Lieut.
Brumhy and for the further reason that
Atlanta is the principal city in the district
of Congressman Livingston, who was the
first to propose a resolution of thanks by
Congress to himself and his officers and
crew for their services at the battle or
Manila bay 1t would be impossible for
him 10 come from Atlanta to Savannah for
the reason that he Is a member of the
Philippine Commission, which meets m
Washington Friday. Nov. q.
After some further conversation the sug-
gestion was made that the Admirai should
visit Savannah at a later date, naming
date at his own convenience within the
next thirty to ninety days. When TINS
suggestion was made the Admiral caplt-
ulated at once. lie declared that Admlrai
Dewey said that he would lie mere at his
leisure later on and therefore would be
able 10 enjoy his visit more. This would
also enable him to visit Macon ana
Charleston. both of which cities have sent
pressing invitations. The members OF the
committee assured the Admiral that
later date would be even more satisfac-
tory to them than an immediate accept
ance as IL would give them more time
in which to make their preparations, and
the Deopfe of Savannah would appreciate
the visit more than If he had given them
a flying visit on his way from Atlanta.
The converse ton then drifted to gen.
eral topics and the Admiral was led to dis
cuss many of his recent experiences. both
naval and civil He proved most en-
PERTAINING conversationalists and the COM
mittee listened TO him with pleasure. Nat
urally 1t was Capt. Purse who drew the
Admiraf out on the subject of the pres
dencv He assured the Admiral that he
was the choice of the whole American peo-
pie and that he could be elected without
opposition. "You win be free to choose
your own cabinet" declared Capt. Purse.
something which no American President
has ever been able to do"
Admiral Dewey begged TO differ with
Can't Purse. He did not consider that any
army or navy man was fitted for the pres
idency, and referred to the cases of Pres
idents TAYLOR and Grant. Army and navy
men, he declared, were utterly unacqualnt-
ed with the governmental business OF the
country. and, therefore, not quahhed TO
deal with it.
.lf | should choose my own cabinet"
said the Admiral Il would naturally Sc
lect my own friends, who are naval men
like myself. and who know as little of
the business of the government as l do.
We should make a pretty mess of it. If,
on the other hand, / should select my
cabinet from among the politicians, who
are the only ones who know anything
about the government they would run
the business, and l would be merely a fig
urehead."
When The Philippine question was raised
Admiral Dewey stated very positively that
h., bali Z n tho hest n c
of this country to retain control of the
Philippines They are the most important
acquisition made by this country in many
years, he said. An immense trade is de-
veloping in the far East, and the United
States will need to obtain foothold there.
In the Philippines they already have
most desirable foothold In fact, it is the
key TO the situation. Consequently il
would be very poor policy, indeed, TO sur
render this important vantage ground. Ad-
mral Dewey said that he thought that by
garrsoning the principal towns in the
Philippines the government would soon