The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-05
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.


S@NAA AN-A1 wv AMI
Awaiting Dewcyrs Return-Tt is
generally understood that close upon the
heels OF his return to Washington from
his trip TO the West and South Admiral
Dewey will issue his long looked for
statement embodying his political views
and intentions. The Admiral is not ex-
pected back before the 18th. and 1t may
be two or three days after that date that
he will give to the country the promised
statement. Judging from brief inter-
view to which he submitted the day be-
fore he left Washington IL is presumed
that he will define himself as radically
opposed to MIR. Bryan on one or two I'M
portant issues, notably the currency and
expansion. 1t is stated that he prerared
rough draft OF his statement before he
went away, and that only two or three
very intimate friends have been granted
the privilege Of reading the draft. The
reason the address was withheld is said
to have been due to the Admirals desire
not TO give excuse either to political
friends enemies to harass him with
political questions On his trip. Then, too
his fine sense of the proprieties suggested
TO him the ACCESSIBILITY o. appearing be-
fore the people at this time merely as the
hero of Manila, for as such he was invited
to make a tour of the West and South,
and not as a Presidential candidate. 1t Is
limited as a possible result of his trip that
he may conclude to formally withdraw
from the Presidential race. and that the
Forthcoming statement will contain an an
nouncement Of this fact as well as Of his
political views. There are indications that
Admiral Dewey has not been received in
the West with that enthusiasm which it
was thought the announcement of his can
didacy would arouse in that section. All
classes of the people out there have treat
ed him as the great hero of the Spanish
war. and the various localities he has Wis
tied have We'd with each other in paying
homage TO him as such, but there does not
appear to have been manifested at any
place an overweening anxiety for him 10
step down from his exalted position as
one of the worlds most conspicuous mil
itary chieftains into the muck and mire
of politics. Months before it was known
by the people that the Admiral had polit
ical ambitions the candidates of both great
parties had been selected by them, and
these nominations were only awaiting for
nal ratification = he party conventions.
1t is believed these palpable facts have
been borne in upon the Admirafs mind
with strength that leaves no room for
doubt as to their meaning. and that he
will sternly refuse longer to listen to the
pIesdings of those who would force him
into politics.
Long II Cnndidate.-There is the most
trustworthy authority for the statement
that the Hon. John d. Long is a candi-
date for second place on the ticket vi
Mr.. Mckinley. all recent reports to the
contrary notwithstanding. Late Thursday
Afternoon Secretary Long buntly informed
an eager enquirer that he was 'as much
candidate FOR Vice President now as he
ever vas The trt;th Is that Mr.. Long has
never been a political men6icant. The vari-
Gus Offices he has held have come to him
without the usual imp5rtunate self-seeking
of the politician. anG without the all-power-
full aid OF the impetious demands of rapa-
cious special interests that contribute TO
campaign funds With the view O. controil-
ing appointments and legislation. When the
advisability OF his uonir alton was first
preached to him. Mr. Long very bluntly in
formed newspaper in erviewers as well as
political friends that he did not balieye
he would add the kind OF ste gth to I e
ticket which the exigencies or the situa-
ton demand. Mr.. Long will accept the
nomination II the machine POSSES offer 1t
to him at Philadelphia but he will make
no pledges to them or their masters as an
inducement for them to offer it to him.
Convincing evidence of his receptive can
didacy is contained in the statement of
Senator Lodge that he will present tie
name of Mr. LoHs to the Philade phia Con-
vention as Massachusst ats candidate. What
secret anguish the Hon. Henry Cabot
Lodge will suffer while preparing uogy
of the Hon. John y. Long can be appre-
ciated only by these who know how very
cordially the eloquent and erudite Senator
dislikes the Secretary OF the Navy Senator
Lodge will be tie permanent Chairman of
the National Convention, but this will rot
prevent his making the spesch putting Mr..
Long in nomination. Behind the espousal
Of the Long candidacy by Senator Lodge
is an interesting story illustrating the re-
OF the Hannaites. which will
doubtless ccne out in due time.
Illinois