Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-04-14
WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE.
Dewey Says He is Sailor, Not
"a Politician.

Ills Health VIII Not Permit Him TO Be
Candidate for the Presidency and
He Doubts His own Capacity.
Admiral Dewey has given to a Manila
correspondent very full interview regard
ing the suggestion that the Admiral be
made candidate for the presidency next
year. The correspondent says
after talking of the previous days ex-
perience, of the war and of minor matters,
asked Dewey if he objected to speak up
on the subject that was interesting the
millions of people to whom his name was
a household word-upon the subject of his
possible candidacy for the presidency in
1900.
Ono; l have no objections to talking of
that subject, but, you see, they want to
know whether | am Democrat or Re-
publican.
"And which, then, are you?' | asked.
Dewey looked at me a moment and smiled,
"'Well, you see, am sailor. A sailor
has no politics. The administration is his
party, and, Republican or Democratic, it
makes no difference. Then, again, come
from Vermont, and you know what that
means. To be anything but Republican
in Vermont is to be man without party.
My flag lieutenant comes from Georgia.
He tells me that to be anything but a
Democrat in the South is to be nobody.
If lived South l would probably be a
Democrat
octave you ever voted" l asked
"'Yes, years ago; but my vote was
usually influenced by personal preference
or local conditions. l am not politician,
have never held political Office and am to-
| oil, e artu inf III pia nd Ii
liatiOns.'
81 understand Senator Proctor says
| Vermont will propose you for the pres-
dency,' | continued.
"'Is that so? How do you know?' the
Admiral questioned me.
81 then read him an article referring to
an interview to that effect. Had Senator
Proctor reason to think you would accept
such a nomination. l asked.
1.-the Senator is an old, stanch friend of
mine. l 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 presumptuous
to accept a nomination before it is offered?
Perhaps it would be equally previous to re-
ject it,
but l hadn't received an unequivocal
answer yet, so l again referred to the ques-
ton of presidential candidacy. An entire
half hour the Admiral talked on this sub
iect. / will not quote his words. 1t is too
momentous question to dispose of in a
few sentences.
mo man, however strong in his purpose,
can throw the thought of such possibility
over his shoulder slightly. Nor did Admi-
raj Dewey. He discussed it grsvely and
seriously. He dwelt upon the great re-
sponsibilties of the office, the necessity OF
life's training to equip the most able OF
men to occupy such an exalted and ardu-
Gus office.
And, finally, he said that neither by
vocation, disposition, education nor train
ing was he capacitated to fill such posi-
ton. He said that he was too well along
in life to consider such possibility. His
health would not admit it. All his life's
work was in different lines of effort, and
while the kindness and enthusiasm of his
friends were grateful to him, and the gen.
erous tributes of the American people
were dear to him, he could not and would
not be a candidate for the presidency OF
the United States under any conditions"
The correspondent-fo Leslie's Weekly
makes this statement as he says, with the
full consent and on the authority of Adm
raj Dewey
"'If there is such tide of sentiment il
must be stemmed, the Admiral concluded. y