The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-05
DEWEY A CANDIDATE.

What has occurred to cause Admiral
Dewey to change his mind about being a
candidate for the presidency? II has not
been SO very long since he announced that
he did not think that he was qualified
10 discharge the duties of that high Office.
and that he would not under any circum-
stances permit his name TO go before a
nominating convention. Now it seems he
is anxious for a presidential nomina ton.
Was his mind changed by his visit to the
South? Was he told while in this section
of the country that he could depend upon
the support of the Southern people If he
should become a candidate?
We ask these questions because this an
nouncement of his willingness to become
a candidate was made soon after his re-
turn TO Washington from his visit to the
South. 1t is doubtful IL anything has oc-
CURED in that city to cause him to change
his mind about the presidency, because
he is not very popular there.
The Admiral does not say whether he
is Republican or a Democrat He is sin
gularly silent on that point. Even when
asked he refused 10 give any definite an
ready to accept nomination from any
party that viii offer ii to him. He wants
not only 10 be nominated, but also to he
elected. But would he accept nomina-
ton from the Democrats as readily as from
the Republicans? Would he be willing to
stand on the platform the Democrats will
adopt? Would he accept free silver coin
age and Independence for the Filipinos?
The understanding is that his sympathes
are with the Republicans. Some things
he said on his return from the Philippines
seem to justify the opinion that he is a
Republican. II may be thai he has heard
of the dissatisfaction there is in the Re
publican party with Mr. Mckinley. The
opinion IS getting abroad that the Presi-
dent has no policy in respect to any one
oil the important questions before the coun-
try. He announced a policy for Porto
Rico, but he failed to insist upon it, When
he found a considerable section of his
party against it he abandoned it, His
action in the matter injured him greatly
in the estimation of some of the leaders
of his party. Still, he is strong with the
Republican masses and Admiral Dewey
would not find it an easy matter to get the
Republican nomination as long as the
President is a candidate for it,
There is something mysterious in this
sudden ambition of Admiral Dewey 10
become President. If the ambition had
shown itself Immediately on his return
from the Philippines it would not have
occasioned much comment. Some time ago
there were rumors that Mrs Dewey was
ambitions to be the first lady of the land
and it may be that she has persuaded him
to make the announcement which has TAX
en- the country by surprise. Or it may be
that he is acting under the advice of
shrewd and far seeing politicians, who
have plans which they are not yet ready
TO make public. Doubtless it will be
known in very few days what the true
inwardness of the announcement is.
If the people had been asked TO name
a candidate for President on Admiral
Dewey's return from Manila they would
have named him. His popularity has
waned considerably since then, and, al
though a great deal of enthusiasm could
be worked up for him, it is far from GER
tain that there is a strong desire through
out the country to see him in the White
House.