Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-04-06
DEWEY A CANDIDATE.
Said at Philadelphia Yesterday That
He Was a Democrat.
Hts Latest Statement is That the Com
siItutiOn IL His Platform--NO Definite
Declaration OF His Plans.

HIS Latest statement Is That the Con-
stItutIon Is His PIatform--No Definite
Declaration OF His Plans.
Admiral George Dewey is receptive
candidate for the presidency He would
not decline the nomination if it we're ten
dered to him.
| Last October Dewey declared that he was
not candidate and never would be one,
that naval officer should avoid politics
and be content with the honors which
come to him in the exercise of his profess
sion.
On Wednesday of this week the country
read with amazement mingled with incre-
dulty an interview with the Admiral in
the New York World in which he was
! quoted as saying, among other things:
"When l arrived in this country last
! September / said then that nothing would
| induce me to be a candidate for the presi-
dency.
"Since then. however, have had the
leisure and inclination TO study the matter,
and have reached a different conclusion,
inasmuch as so many assurances have
come to me from my countrymen that 1
would be acceptable as candidate for this
great office.
"If the American people want me for
this high office, / shall be only too willing
TO serve them.
"Should be chosen for this exalted po-
sition would execute the laws of Con-
gress as faithfully as | bave always exc
cuted the orders of my superors."
When asked "On what platform will you
stand?" the Admiral replied:
81 think have said enough at this time,
and possibly too much"
On Wednesday the Admiral confirmed
the interview, explaining the medium
chosen by saying: 81 gave that state
ment to the New York World because that
paper first nominated me for the Presi-
dency when | returned from Manila last
fall, and threw IL down then, refusing
to consider il. That was before l wanted
1t. Now, however, the bee is buzzing.
Well, it is an honorable bee, and l am not
ashamed of it,"
Admiral Dewey was then asked to out
line the platform on which he would run
and whether he would seek the nomina-
ton from the Democratic or Republican
party.
presidents, he replied, promptly, do
not make platforms; they are formed by
the people. / am not in the attitude Of
forcing issues or platforms. l will say,
however, that | think the platform of the
American flag would cover most of the
pending nat ional questions"
The people will want to Know what
you think of the silver question" was sug-
gested to him.
1.-THE fact that l am from Vermont"
said the Admiral, fought to settle that"
When asked whether he expected a
nomination from the Republican or Demo
cratic party, Admiral Dewey replied:
81 do not care to 60 into that feature.
stand by my general statement. My am
bition to be president is an honorable
one."
When the Admiral was told that lead
ing Republican and Democratic politicians
were inclined to not believe the statement
that he was an avowed candidate for Pres
ident, he merely smiled and shrugged his
shoulders.
"In regard to my approaching trip to
Chicago you may also say that it has no
political significance whatever. 1 arranged
, for this journey last fall, shortly after my
arrival in this country. l am merely go
ing in accordance with plans made at that
time"
"Will you make any speeches en- route?'
al cannot say as to that. l have not
prepared any speeches"
In other interviews he was quoted as
saying:
~ have very decided opinions on mat
leTb Ol DuDliC ulOlutut3 UuJ L dlu uOl pre-
pared to announce them at the present
time. have been reading the newspapers
r constantly and received thousands of let
} ters from all parts of the country, and have
formed very strong opinions on a number
of matters in which the public is interest
ed, but do not think it would be wise for
me TO announce them at present. Candi-
] dates for the presidency do not make plat
forms.
"When first returned from Manila my
health was not as good as it is now. did
not know so we'll the feelings of the people
0 toward me. Ever since my return L have
3 been receiving letters urging me to an
nounce my willingness to become Presi-
dent, and have discovered that the posi-
tion of Admiral is not the highest in the
t United States. The highest position in
the United States is that of President, and
if the American people want me to act as
President, how can refuse? Everywhere
r have gone have been most warmly re
( ceived, and people in the crowds have ex
n claimed we want you for President
= "To my mind the Office of President a:
contemplated by the constitution is Who'll
{ ly executive. 1t is not my idea that the
= President should dictate to Congress, but
on the contrary, believe he should exc,
cute the laws which Congress enacts
faithfully and without fear or prejudice
I l remember the denunciation which once
d followed the announcement by President
r of the United States of my policy"
i Dewey was interviewed again at Phila-
delphia yesterday. He is reported as say
ing that he was Democrat, but as refus
ing to answer when asked If he would run
Independently in case Mckinley and Bryan
: received the regular nominations. When
9 asked about platform he replied: "The
= constitution. That is good enough plat
form for me. am not politician. l am
d only lover of my country"
b Those who take the Dewey announce
9 ment seriously believe that his brother-in'
' law, John r. Mclean, late Democratic
I, candidate for governor of Ohio, is the or,
: ganizer of the Dewey campaign. Mr.. Nc
Lean denies this, and says that he wa
a not aware of the Admiraps intention to an
s nounce himself as a candidate, but there
!, are politicians in Washington who re
fuse to believe that Dewey is not being
Q made a stalking horse to attract Democrat
i ic supporters away from Bryan.
k Maintaining the Vermont Standard.