New-York tribune., 1900-04-05
ADMIRAL IN POLITICS.
DEWEY WILLING TO RUN FOR
PRESIDENT.
WOULD ACCEPT A NOMINATION. ON A
REPUBLICAN. DEMOCRATIC OR IN
DEPENDENT TICKET-A SUR
PRISE To POLITICIANS.


b.
Washington April 4--AdmiraI George Dewey
frankly announced himself to-day as an eclectic
candidate for the Presidency. symptoms that
the elusive a-d hypnotizing Presidential bee
was lowering about the Dewey mansion IN
Rhode Island-ave. have not been lacking for
some months; but the AdmiraTs unconditional
declaration of his willingness 20 head ticket
for the Presidency undoubtedly caught most
Washington politicians mapping. The PrOspec-
tive candidate coudded his purposes yesterday
TO a represe entatfve OF The New-York World"
because. as he said to-day;
was The WORLDS candidate for the Presi-
dency before I returned from Manila, and II was
only IN response 20 my earnest appeal that
The World ceased its efforts in my behalf
The AdmiraTs political programme is ad-
mirably simple His candidacy once announced.
he looks TO a sort OF spontaneous outbreak OF
sentiment 10 force his nomination and election
He does not bind himself 10 become the candi-
date of any one party. If the Republican party
thinks his elevation 20 the Presidency destrable
or necessary. he viii administer his Office
Republican. IF the democratic politicians turn
10 him as the savi.- Of National and party
destiny he will accept the Democratic nOmina-
tion and count himself Democratic President.
If elected If neither the Republican nor the
Democratic party desires TO avail itself Of his
leadership. the minor fag end organizations
at liberty TO stamp his name ON their banners.
and if nominated and elected by more OF
them he will administer the Chief Magissracy
as an independent OF era Of good feeling Presi-
dent
HIS IDEA OF THE PRESIDENCY
ITO my mind the Admiral explained this
morning. the office OF President as cOntsm-
plated by the Constitution is wholly executive.
1t is not my idea that the President should dc
tate 10 Congress but, on the contrary. believe
he should execute the laws which Congress
acts faithfully and without fear or prejudice.
I remember the denunciation which once fol-
lowed the announcement by a President OF the
United States of my policy"
Indeed. until Admiral Dewey ascertains the
temper of the American people in regard TO his
candidacy, he intends 10 maintain absolute
silence in regard TO his party affiliations or his
views on political questions.
L have very decided opinions on matters OF
public moment he said to-day. but not
prepared TO announce them AT the present time
I have been reading the newspapers constantly
and have received thousands OF letters from all
parts OF the country. and have formed very
strong opinions a number Of matters in
which the public is interested. but do not
think it would be wise to announce them at
present. Candidates for the Presidency do not
make platforms"
WHY HE CHANGED his MIND.
What has induced You to change your mind
in regard 10 the Presidency
when I first returned from Manila replied
the Admiral. my health not good as II Is
now. I did not know we'll the feelings OF the
people toward me. Ever since my return have
been receiving letters urging me to announce
my Willingness TO become President and have
TfscOyarad hat he DOsiriOu OF Admiral ia nor
the highest in the United States. The highest
position in the United States is that OF Presi-
dent, and if the American people want me 10 act
as President, how can 1 refuse? Everywhere
have gone I have been most warmly received.
and people in the crowds have exclaimed We
want you for President Thirty years ago
would never have believed that an officer OF the
United States would have met with such a
capticn as that given me on my recent trip
through the South I was everywhere received
with the greatest warmth and courtesy 1 think
that section alsm IS being wiped out rapidly, and
that the old feeling OF the South toward the
North is rapidly disappearing The Spanish war
did a great deal TO bring the country together.
The people of the South are more prosperous to-
day than they ever were before. They are build
ing cotton mills all the South. and manu-
featuring of every kind is on the Increase"
1t is clearly the AdniraIs desire 70 receive
the Presidential nOuins ton, II IL him
at all. spontaneous Offering from the
voters of or another OF the great parties
has therefore so far opened no negotiations with
recognized Republican Democratic leaders
Probably the politician OF influence IN his
confidence is his brOther-in-law. John R. Nc
Lean.
TO TEST POPULAR FEELING
Admiral Dewey viii soon have an opportunity
10 test the feelings OF the people toward hts Presi-
Dental candidacy. He will so 70 Philadelphia
tomorrow 70 attend a concert given under the
auspices of Mrs CassatJ. wife OF the president
OF the Pennsylvania Railroad. The concert is
for the benefit OF the widows and orphans Of
soldiers ana sailors who lost their lives in the
war with Spain.
Toward the end OF the month the Admiral viii
start for an extended Western tour visiting
among other places Chicago. where he viii be
entertained on May 1. the second anniversary OF
te battle Of Manila Bay. He said to-day that
this trip had been arranged and the invitation
accepted long before ne made Up his mind
the Presidency. The Admiral denied most en-
phaticalIy the assertion that he intended 10
visit Europe this summer.
Every few days this story is sent out rrori
Washington he said I have not, and never
have had any intention whatever OF visiting
Europe this summer. y number OF Europeans.
and particularly the English. have urged me 10
make tour of Europe, and assured me that
would be well received. especially in England.
but / have no desire TO go abroad this summer"
should the Admiral accept the nomination OF
any party parties for the Presidency. ne VIII
not be debarred by law or custom from retain.
ing his present rank and exercising MS present
functions the head OF the Navy
Politicians here were more or less nonpiaSseo
by the programme issued from the Dewey man
sion. Few disposed 70 pass serious or nna4
Judgment upou il as "A possible disturbing N
huence in current National politics.
ADMIRAL. DEwEY'S STATEMENT.