Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-14
DEWEY AND THE PRESIDENCY.
An Interview with the Admiral on
Political Topics.

Political Topics.
Some Of the many editorial tenders Of a
nomination for the presidency were brought
to the attention OF Admiral Dewey by a cor
respondent of Leslie's Weekly. What the
admiral said and the correspondents
observations are given in the following ex-
tract from the letter published in the
Weekly:
After talking of the previous days ex-
p~erience, of the war, and of minor matters,
| asked Dewey If he objected to speak upon
the subject that was interesting the millions
of people to whom his name was a household
~word-upon the subject of his possibly can
didacy for the presidency in 1900.
mo, l have no objections to talking of
that subject, but you see, they want to
know whether l am a democrat or a re-
publican"
And which then, are you?" l said. Dewey
looked at me a moment and smiled.
well, you see, l am a sailor. A sailor
has no politics. The administration is his
hrty, and republican or democratic, it
makes no difference. Then, again, l come
from Vermont, and you know what that
means. To be anything but a republican in
Vermont is to be a man without a party.
My flag lieutenant comes from Georgia. He
tells me that to be anything but a demo-
crat in the south is to be a nobody. If l
lived south would probably be a democrat"
Have you ever voted?" l asked.
YES, years ago! but my vote was US
ually Influenced by personal preference or
local conditions. / am not a politician,
have never held political office, and am to-
tally ignorant of party intricacies and afil-
i~ations."
81 understand Senator Proctor says Ver-
mani ,ri1I nrnnnua ~, Tow tIn prnzi1,,ay , -
| continued.
lis that so? How do you know?" the
admiral questioned me.
! then read him an article referring to
an interview to that effect. Had Senator
Proctor reason to think you would accept
such a nomination" | said.
"The senator is an old, staunch friend or
mine. | have known him all my life. He
has written me on this subject. Others
have asked permission to use my name
Don't you think it would be presumptuoes
to accept a nomination before 1t is offered
perhaps it would be equally previous to re-
ject it?"
But | hadn't received an unequivocal an
swer yet, so | again referred to the quos-
ton OF presidential candidacy. An entire
half hour the admiral talked on this sub
ject. will not quote his words. 1t
- NN " bHNS'i'H " NihlooO VI
in a few sentences. No man, however
strong in his purpose, can throw the
thought of such a possibility over his
shoulder lightly. Nor did Admiral Dewey.
He discussed it gravely and seriously. He
dwelt upon the great responsibilities of the
office, the necessity of a life's training TO
equip the most able CT men to occupy such
an exalted and arduous office. And, finally,
he said that neither by vocation, disposition,
education, or training was he capacitated
to fill such a position. He said that he
was too well long In life to consider such
a possibility. His health would not admit
1t. All his life's work was in different lines
of effort, and that, while the Kindness and
enthusiasm of his friends were dear to him,
he could not and would not be a candidate
for the presidency Of the United States under
any conditions. / make this statement with
the full consent and on the authority OF
Admiral Dewey. "If there Is such a tide Of
sentiment 1t must be stemmed," the admiral
concluded.
Whether this interview will stem the tide
or not 1t is not within my province TO con-
template. ] believe, though, that what Ad-
miral Dewey said to me was with all SINGER
ity.