Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-04-11
OGMETS BAD BREAK.

ulWtt pND bNDtN.
Admiral Dewey Is a striking exam
pie Of what a fool a woman can make
Of a man when she sets about IL.
When George Dewey was o plain
commodore. In charge Of a depart
ment connected with the navy, with
Office In Washington. he was one OF
the admirers OF the widow OF Gen.
Hazen. but although he had won
some laurels In the civil war, he was
poor. bis meager salary OF three or
four thousand dollars q year was
about sufficient to cover his expenses
and he was suffered to be the ad-
mirer OF the multi-millIonaire widow,
simply that and nothing more. But
the war with Spain gave him an OPP
portunity such as comes to but few
men In a lifetime. He won a great
naval victory ten thousand miles
from home. His isolation and the
boldness and daring OF his exploit
was such as to crown him the great
est hero OF modern times. His VIC
tory did not turn his head. For
months following. In a trying ordeal.
he was equal to every new Incident
or responsibility. lie possessed that
calmness and good sense that made
him admired among men OF all ma
tionallties and parties. There was
not a weak spot In his behavior un-
I'll he landed In New York, or rather,
10 Washington. In interviews he de-
clared he had no taste or ambition
for the presidency; he was educated
for the navy and was not q pOliti-
clan or q statesman. But az soon
as he reached Washington the fool
killer took a day on and the Mclean
family became much In evidence.
Grandma Mclean found 1t convent.
ent to go to her country residence
and surrender her pslatial home to
the former commodore, now Admi.
raj. with a salary Of $4,000 q year
and worldwide fame. This was TO
smooth the way for the widow,
whose utter indifference to the atten-
lions Of the commodore OF q year
previous was turned to anxiety for
the admiral. The scheme worked
lovely, and In less than a month the
engagement OF Admiral Dewey and
Mrs. Mclean Hazen was announced.
From thnt hour the admiral has
given evidence Of mental paresis. His
haste TO sign over to his millionaire
wife the home given him BY q gener.
Gus and grateful peoplei Is well known.
1t was such . silly transaction that
even bis wife refused the gift unless
she was permitted to makesome pro.
vision for the admiral's son, which,
1t must be admitted, she has hand.
somely done. Then followed some
bad breaks for social recognition al
the nations capital which the plain
people do not care to have associat.
ed with the true hero.
But - II an this were not enough,
the admiral announces that he Ia a
Democrat and a candidate for the
presidency. Now, when the shout.
Ing has died In the distance. when
there 10 no popular demand for him,
he feels inclined ito yield to the pres
sure on the part Of the people," II
looks very much an though he wal
yielding to the pressure OF his wifi,
and John X. Mclean chiefly. though
eastern Democrats would like an ex
cuse for voting for some one else thar
Bryan. Whether IL IL the intention
to side-track Bryan at Kansas City
and whether the admiral would rur
Independently In case Bryan received
the nomination, remains to be seen
We do not believe he a secure tn,
nomination Mt Kansas City. TIL,
turning down OF Bryan would meaI
the turning down Of the Chicago
platform almost entire. This would
ALLEVIATE the silver element OF tn,
party, as well as the Populists. What
Dewey will do Is a question to b,
solved by Mrs. Dewey. who seems e
speak for him. according to pres,
dispatches. His interviews arechild
ish and foolish, and while the Amerl
can people would like to think wei
OF him and accord him the highest
praise, his coming out for the presi
dency at this late date lowers him In
the estimation of all rIght-thlnkinp
people. II he concludes to run indie
p%endently, he will prove a tailendsl
when the votes are counted. Ever
Bryan will lead him by a million
votes. Hero worship has not gone
so far In this country that people
will overlook ability and fitness ia
accommodate the whlms Of an am.
bilious woman.