Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-28

ments for the Dewey demonstration,
in answer to numerous criticisms of
the Admiral as well as of members
of the committee:
Admiral Dewey did more than the
committee requested him to do at the
time they called on him in Washing
ton City.
When he was invited to visit our
city it was with the understanding
that it was for the purpose or attend
ing the ceremonies connected with
presenting the Fort Henry tablet to
the city of Wheeling, and the presen-
tation of the sword to Lieutenant
Doddridge. 1t was the intention OF
the committee in that connection,
however, to have a parade and pub
lie reception in order to enable our
people to see, and if possible, to meet
the Admiral. At the time the COM
mittee called upon the Admiral in
Washington, a representative OF the
- S0AAANeAsAOh SlNluS d
banquet the evening of the 22nd. in
vited the Admiral to be its guest.
He promptly accepted the invitation,
thinking it was given through the
committee. The acceptance of this
invitation made it impossible for the
committee to hold public reception
Thursday evening.
The committee still being DESTROYS
of holding a public reception wrote
the Admiral inquiring as to whether
or not it would be agreeable to him If
we were to hold it early in the even
ing so as not to interfere with the
banquet. He replied as follows: If
the committee desires to substitute a
reception for hebanquet l shall enter
pose no objections. | would suggest
that you hold the reception between
and 10 O'Clock" From the wording
of his letter it can be seen that he
was of the impression that the COM
mittee had charge Of the banquet
The committee did not wish to inter-
fere with him attending the banquet,
consequently it was powerless to do
anything in regard to holding a pub
lie reception.
mo arrangements were made to
give reception at the Mcclure We'd
nesday evening. Expecting the Adj
miral and Mrs. Dewey to stop at the
hotel the lady guests, with a few as
sistants, were requested to be in the
parlor upon their arrival to give them
welcome. but not to detain them
longer than about ten minutes. This
q n onrppnt oanCn6 IN ha
circulated to the effect that there was
to be reception. No reception was
contemplated, and it is not just to
the Admiral to say he did not keep
the engagement at that time as he
had not even been consulted. He
begged to be excused from going to
the hotel for the reason that he was
not suitably dressed did not have on
his uniform and wished to rest in Or
der to be in condition for the exer-
cises the following day. He stated
that he would do anything the COM
mittee wished him to do on Thursday,
and he kept his word to the very let
ter.
He did not come here for the pur-
pose of placing himself on exhibition
in two parades and at the loan ex-
hibition given for charitable pur-
poses, but when requested by the
committee to do SO he promptly COM
Piled
He went still further. He said he
would go in the parade in the snow
and rain, or he would attend a public
reception in the afternoon, whichever
the committee agreed upon. The
grand marshal, with some of the
committee, being anxious to do what
was best for all. and to enable as
many as possible to see the Admiral,
decided to hold a public reception in
stead of the parade. But this met
with disapproval by the visiting or
CARNATIONS and hundreds insisted
that the programme be carried out,
which WIS accordingly done.
His failure to attend the banquet
is matter concerning the Admiral
and the organization that invited
him and not the public or committee.
That was matter over which the
committee had no control.
THE Admiral is far from being
fond of show. In fact he dislikes it.
He is, like all great men, modest,
warm hearted and easily approached.
He is exceedingly fond of children.
He would embrace almost every OPP
portunity that presented itself TO
take the hand or stroke the head of
little tot. He frequently requested
the soldiers acting as guards of honor
to not treat the spectators roughly or
to injure any one with their bayonets
and guns which they were using to
keep back the surging crowds as the
carriage passed along the streets.
Il believe our people do not fully
realize the distinguished honor con-
ferred upon us by the Admirals visit
to our city Many are not aware Of
the fact that great pressure was
brought to bear by representatives of
other cities to induce him TO break
his engagement to visit u.s. He per-
sistently refused TO break his promise
and has declined hundreds of invita-
tions to visit large cities, cities such
as Chicago, st. Louis, Philadelphia.
Mrs Dewey was not able to ac-
company the Admiral on account of
illness caused by cold she contract
ed while in New York City a few
days before the time for their de-
parture for Wheeling
yHad it not been for the unpropit-
ious weather during the day, the pub
lie would have had an opportunity of
seeing and greeting the hero of Ma
Mia"
n. of p. Work.
Battalion iuSpacfion and ioin+ in