New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-10
DEWEY NOT A CANDIDATE.
SAYS HE WOULD NOT ACCEPT A NONfINA-
TION FOR PRESIDENT.

IF THERE is TIDE OF SENTIMENT IN THAT
DIRECTION, IT MUST BE sTEMMED. HE
sAYs-HIs ANSWER AS TO HIS POLITICS.
Admiral Dewey has given to the Manila cor
respondent Of "Leslies Weekly an interview
regarding the suggestion that the Admiral be
made a candidate for the Presidency next year.
'Leslie's" correspondent says;
After talking of the previous days expert"
ence. Of the war. and of minor matters. asked
Dewey IL he objected to speak upon the sub
ject that was interesting the millions OF peo-
ple 10 whom his name was household word
upon the subject OF his possible candidacy Tor
the Presidency Of 1900.
mo. I have no objection to talking or that
subject, but, you see, they want to know whether
am a Democrat or a Republican
land which, then, are you?' I said. Dewey
looked at me for moment and smiled
".Well you see | am sailor. A sailor has
no politics The Administration is MS party
and. Republican or Democratic. 1t makes no dit-
ference. Then. again, l come from 'ernioi''
and you know what that means TO De any
thing but a Republican in Vermont is to be
man without a party My flag lieutenant comes
from Georgia. He tells me that to be any
thing but a Democrat in the South Is TO be
nobody. II lived South I would probably be
Democrat
Have you ever voted?' asked
"'Yes, years ago; but my vote was usually IN
fuenced by personal preference or local coii-
ditions I am not a politician, have never heio
political office, and am totally ignorant or party
intricacies and affiliations.
"I understand Senator Proctor says vermont
will propose you for the Presidency 1 con-
tinued.
"Ts that so? How do you know? the Ad-
mlral questioned me-
II then read him an article referring 10 an
interview TO that effect. Had Senator Proctor
reason to think you would accept such nom
inaton? / said.
1.-The Senator is an old, stanch friend OF
mine. I have known him all my life. He has
written me on this subject Others have asked
nermission to use my name. Don't you think IL
would be presumptuous to accept nominat0h
before it is offered-perhaps 1t would DE equ"HS
previous to reject IT.? .-
"Rut 7 hadn't received an unequivocal answer
vet so again referred to the question or Presi-
Dental candidacy. An entire half-hour the Au-
miral talked on this subject. Will nov quo.e 20
his words 1t is too momentous question 10
disnose of in a few sentences. No man, however
strong in his purpose. can throw the tnousn. VI
such a possibility over his shoulder hgntly'
Nor did Admiral Dewey. He discussed IL grave
ly and seriously He dwelt upon the great re-
sponsibilites of the office, the necessity OF a
lfe's training to equip the most able OF men 10
occupy such an exalted and arduous office Ana.
finally, he said that neither by vocation dlspo-
sition education training was he capacltated
to fill such a position. He said that he was TOO
we'll along in life to consider such possolity
His health would not admit it. All his life's
work was in different lines of effort, and tnat'
while the kindness ard enthusiasm or mis- frienos
were grateful to him. and the generous tributes
OF the American people were dear TO him, ne
could not and would not be candidate Tor the
Presidency of the United States under any con-
dtions / make this statement with the full
consent and the authority of Admiral Dewey.
| IF there is such tide Of sentiment, 1t must be
stemmed' the Admiral concluded.
whether this interview will stem the tide or
not it is not within my province to contemplate
| I believe, though, that what Admiral Dewey
said to me was with all sincerity.