The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-05
His Wife Very Ambitious and Anxious
to Preside as Mistress of
the White House.
INTERVIEWS WITH DEWEY
HE SAYS HIS CANDIDACY Is BEING
WIDELY INDORsED.
Not Yet Ready tn Announce His Plat
form, Although He Has Decided
Opinions on Public Questions.
to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. April 4. Admiral
Dewey's announcement that he is a candi-
date for President was the engrossing topic
in Washington to-day. The dominating
feeling was Of regret. surprise and
pity-not that he should entertain the am
bition. but at the freakish and eccentric
manner OF announcement Senator Lodge
sympathetically stated the case as pa
thetic." His closest personal friends are
distressed over his action
Since his return to the United States the
admiral has been fairly overwhelmed with
demonstrations of personal regard and
patriotic appreciation of his services. This
wholesale demonstration was enough to
have turned the head of one more Injured
than he TO praise and adulation. The Pres
ident has been eonspicuously outspoken in
expressions of regard for the admiral
These demonstrations were accepted in
good spirit for long time. but latterly
some OF the admirars social satellites have
been burning into his mind the idea that
the executive was Jealous of him and was
trying to place him under obligations by
these many attentions. This seems to have
produced profound impression ON the
admiral. 1t only needed a spark TO cause
an explosion That spark is said to have
been supplied by Admiral Cowninshield
whose genius for misunderstanding has kept
the Navy Department i'm a turmoil for
three years. Reports emanating from the
Crowninshield bureau of intrigue have
been persistently circulated for weeks that
Admiral Dewey was going abroad for the
summer. AS a matter of fact Admiral
Dewey had no such intention, and had ar
ranged his time for months ahead in re-
sponse to invitations from all parts of the
country TO receptions.
In consequence of the Crowninshield ac-
tivity in the news line Admiral Dewey
found himself overwhelmed with letters
and kilograms inquiring If IL were true
that he intended TO cancel his home en-
gagements. These communications became
annoying, and he set about to inquire into
the origin of the reports scheduling him for
a European tour. He was informed that
they originated with the Navy Department
clique. and he jumped to- the conclusion
that they were inspired by the President.
He concluded that he was victim of a
conspiracy. and that there was deep-laid
plot on foot to get him out of the coun-
try. He decided that the only reason for
this supposed plot lay in Mckinley fear
OF a growing Dewey popularity. Having
reached this conclusion. it was easy for
him to delude himself with the further no.
tion that he had but to announce himself
and that conventions would break their
necks to nominate him. Mrs Dewey is said
to have contributed no little to this conceit.
She Is confessedly an ambitious woman
and anxious to preside as mistress of the
White House. Her woman's jealousy has
been aroused by what she has believed to
be an administration policy of secret hos
tility toward her husband.
The leaders of neither of the two great
parties are I'm the slightest degree alarmed
over tho Dewey manifesto. Some of the
Presidents personal friends charge that
Senator Proctor is behind the Dewey move
ment. he being inspired by a recentIy de-
veloped dislike for the occupant of the
White House and believing himself In be
q kingmaker of high degree. BY splitting
the New England delegation at st. I,ou,s
he contributed somewhat to McKinIev.s
nomination. He believes he made" Nc
Kinley. and IL Is now said OF him that he
imagines himself strong enough TO undo
the man he thinks he made four years ago
Senator Proctor. however. says: .rhe
statement In regard to the presidency pur-
porting 10 come from Admiral Dewey is
as much of a surprise 10 me as IL can be
to any one. The subject of politics has not
neen referred to between US in the slightest
manner. directly or Indirectly. since his
statement soon after his return last fall.
The substance OF that was. as / recall II,
that he did not propose 10 be candidate
for the presidency or engage in politics In
any way"
Many OF Bryan's friends make the charge
that the admiral was inspired to enter the
race through the influence OF ex-senator
German. ex-Secretary Whitney and other
Eastern gold Democrats. AS a matter of
fact. however. none of the practical poll
ficfans Will admit for the fraction OF a Sec
ond that the real situation Is changed 10
the slightest extent by the admiral.s an
Eouncement. Senator Tillman, with his
usual bJantness. expressed prevailing
sentimeat in this language: 1t Is a dead