Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-14


Special Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, d. c., October 10
The talk about Admiral Dewey as a
candidate for the presidency has be-
come something more than mere news
paper gossip. Notwithstanding the al
legged denials that the Admiral has any
presidential aspirations there are some
ciTcumstantial rumors that the mention
OF his name in connection with the
presidency has been quite pleasing to
the hero of Manila. In his published
interviews from the beginning there
has been nothing like an open asser-
tion that he would be averse to occu-
plying the presidential chair. Dewey
has usually fenced with the suggestion,
and in one notable conversation report
ed some time ago, while he was still
in Manila harbor, the Admiral talked
as If he rather liked the idea of being
/ spoken of for the presidency. Moth
ing he has said or done initiates
against the assumption that he is will
ing to place himself in the hands Of
his friends, as the saying goes.
Since coming to this country Dewey's
eyes have been opened to the enormous
popularity at his command. His re-
ception at New York and Washington,
the eagerness of all sections of the
country to have him come and visit
them, the manifest cordiality of the
people, have been enough to turn the
head of any man. There can be no
doubt that Dewey is extremely
SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE FLATTERY
of public applause His behavior while
In Washington was obviously that of a
man more than pleased by his first
taste of popular adulation. It was
something new in his experience and
he enjoyed it to the full. This great
popularity certain politicians think may
be turned to account in the next presi
Dental campaign in the event Of re-
action against the administration in
the elections of this fall. For it is al
together unlikely that any considerable
sentiment for Dewey could be drummed
UP in the Democratic party. Dewey,
anyway, is not Democrat, so far as
anybody can find out. 1t is as Re-
rsih+san candidate that Dewey's presi-
Dental aspirations may become seFi-
GUS factor in the presidential contro-
versy. Dewey's star is rising athwart
the ambitions OF Mckinley, not those
of Bryan.
Mckinley has himself tasted the
sweets of popularity, but he may find
that the popular tide is running against
him. The elections soon to take place
will tell the tale. Should the Republi-
cans lose Ohio and Maryland, as is like
ly, the question of McKinley's avail
ability and desirability as a second
term candidate would be open. It is
this contingency that gives vitality to
the talk about Dewey as candidate.
Should the political current run the
other way doubtless the Dewey boom
would subside.
The renewal of the Philippine fighting
before the beginning of the dry sea-
son and
WITHOUT APPARENT OBJECT
gives rise TO the suspicion that the adj
ministration conceives it advisable to
have military operations going on for
their possible influence upon the po-
litical situation at home. Gen. Swans
advance southwark into a country OF
''no strategic Importance" from which
he has retreated without accomplish
ing anything but the temporary dis
persion of a few insurgents, was a
very peculiar military maneuyer. Has