The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-01-18
HOW NiUCH WAS DEWEY y HERO?
The Rigid Test of tho Courts is Being
Applicd--tais Glory Measured by
Statistics and Mathc matiCs.

The Rigid Test of tho Courts is Being
Applicd--His Glory Measured by
Statistics and Mathe MATES.
The Washington correspond ,nt O.
the Augusta Herald brings to notice
the Tact that one of the most remark
ablo cases ever nd adjudicated by the
court Of claims is now under discus-
sion. Reduced to It's last analysis, 1t
meats that one Of the most august
branches OF the national judiciary is to
determine just how muca OF the hero
there is about Dewey. The fury OF de-
nunciatlon ana the fervor of fanatical
eulogy aie to be alike sisregarded.
The measure OF his glory must be sub
mttted TO mathe matical and statistical
tests.
1t is a case the like OF which has
never bern brought up in national
tribunal since tho beginning OF tions
and tribunals. The furoro which was
raised several weeks ago when the
q cat admiral chose to present to his
bride the house which the people had
given him ts respOnsi ble Tor tho pecu
liar Importance which attache, TO the
Forthcoming case before the court OF
claims. 1t may be true, as Nine. de
Sevigne said, that "the world is neith
or foolish nor unjust." But there cor
tatnly are exceptions, for while 1t does
seem utterly irrational, it cannot be
denied That the little incident OF that
house has cast u shadow upon Dewey
in the public esteem.
1t Ia argued that he knew the inferi-
GRITTY Of "the Spanish tubs" when, he
sailed into the harb0r. The danger
from the tGTpeiOes Ia discounted and
a largo number Of people who believe,
at least, that they are fair minded,
take the poslt on that Dave is entitled
to credit chiefly because Of the Sphinx
like silence he maintained during all
those weary days between tho battle of
Mauila and his return TO the bosom OF
his country.
II he really contendcd against an
eeual or superior force, then he was,
Indeed, O hero, and not u child oi
chance. II ne did not, the pref idice
against him which exists IN the
minds Of 80 many OF his fellow co Intry:
mon will be streng thened.
1t is we'll known to the average cit
iZ4n that the government awards q
| bounty to the naval officers and men
engaged IN war. This bounty Is esti-
mated according to the relative
J treugth of the coutending forces. The
battle OF Manila occurred nearly two
years ago, but the bounty has not yet
|
delayed until it could be determined
what wore the odds of battle. The
claim for the bounty is in the hands O
Hon. Hilary A. Herbert, ex.secrctary
uf the navy, who Is now practicins
law In Washington.
"Can'st thou make a net for the
winds ?" said Job. Can you weigh he
roism before the court Of claims
would be a parallel inquiry. Wall tn,
hero of Manila Withstand THAT ii erct
light which heats upon throne," OF
wall he be, as some waggish parodis
called Napoleon I'LL, THAT fierce bea
question.
! The argument In the court OF claims
| began on the 10Th inst. upon tho claim
OF Aomiral Dewey aid the officers and
mon Of his squadron for the =" b bead
money" arising out Of tho destruction
Of Montejo's fl ,ct in Manila bay. Toe
contention of the claimants is that the
force Of the enemy was superior at
Manila bay, and also that the land bat.
Leries and submarine mines should be
considered In defining the question.
Assistant Attorney General Pradt
argued against the claim for 500
mead money" taking the ground
that the statute expressly stipulated
vessels " and contained nothing as to
LAND batteries"
Mr.. King, who opened for the claim.
ants, first explained how the an0uni
OF the bounty upon the eight destroyed
vessels were calculated The report
Of Admiral Montcjo showed that wncD
he went to Subig Day, jas, prior TO the
battle. he had ABOARD five ships 1915
men, whose regular complement wae
by the official records 939. He then
quoted Admiral Dewcy's OpiniLn that
the force Of the enemy in the engage.
ment was superior. There were four
elements-the torpedo boats, the war.
shlps, the shore bate lies and the sub
mcnts was menace to tho eucccss o.
D.wcy's feet and as such should be
counted IN passing On the rig hts OF The
claimants.