New-York tribune., 1899-06-29
THE DEWEY HOUSE FUND.

II seems desirable to consider whether the
plan to provide Admiral Dewey with nome III
Washington by means Of popular suoscrlpuon
ought not 10 be abandoned. The sum collected
thus far does not amount, we believe, 10 more
than $4,000 or $4,000. and its growth mas De-
come extremely slow. In the effort to stimulate
contributions some rather paltry and DUBIOUS
devices have been resorted to, and other ways
of increasing the fund which are still further
from the first intention have been invented. One
of the latest methods of solicitation Is IN the
form of a circular letter to the officers OF the
Army and Navy requesting them to subscribe.
Altogether It appears TO be admitted that the
scheme is In q precarious condition, which. In
view of the original purpose and expectations,
is pretty nearly equivalent TO saying that 1t is
total failure
Inasmucb as The Tribune, not without some
miscivings was hospitable to Admiral Upshurs
nronosal and sincerely hoped that The Brook
lyn Eagle" IN which he made It, would have
the satisfaction of carrying 1t out successfully
we cannot be accused OF i-will toward the
project when we express the belief that 1t woulu
he better TO let IT die than laborously TO keep 1t
half alive by artificial means. If the suggestion
had caught the popular fancy and multitude
of persons had chosen TO signify their un-
bounded admiration for Dewey by making up
an ample fund in few days, the undertaking
would have had the honorable and engaging
character which spontaneity imparts In sucn
case. and might have been entirely agreeable 10
the Admiral But for reasons which, II we uh-
derstard them are not dlscreditable to his fel-
low-countrymen, they have not cared TO coin
their enthusiasm for the hero of Manila Inere
Is not the slightest doubt of their sentiments re-
gardng him, but they are not moved 10 express
them in this manner. And II seems 10 us that
there is great deal of cool common sense IN
their way Of looking at the matter. Ihey nave
probably reflected that Admiral Dewey, VINO mas
no family TO make a home for him, may not
want the care of a domestic establishment at
his time Of life and in the condition of health
which is supposed to have resulted from his long
md arduous service. They know that be VIII
have abundant means to live hereafter as he has
always seemed to prefer TO live, and, having
definite impression of his character. they shrink
from making him gift which they are not sure
he wants and which might prove practical en-
barrassment
II Is within our knowledge that former COM
rades of Admiral Dewey are privately express
A distinguished officer who knows and loves him
well said the other day that he would be the
maddest man in two hemispheres" If he knew
lust what was going on here in connection with
the house fund He might have accepted with
gratitude. If not with perfect contentment,
such spontaneous testimonial az the fund
was expected TO be, though some Of his
friends have declared he woI!d rather see the
money used for some other worthy purpose
But the employment Of personal opportunities
and catchpenny devices TO capture reluctant
contributions must necessarily mortfy and eX-
asperate him. 1t is conceivable that the COM
mttee in charge Of the affair has more reason
! for encouragem than its adoption of Qucs-
tlonable methods Of procedure would sccri to
indicate. and that by slow and tedious growth
the fund may reach respectable proportions be-
fore the Admiral's arrival; but even IN that
case it would lack grace and attract,veness.
and we are afraid the time has come to call a
/ halt