The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-05
OPINION AT THE CAPITOL
Members of Congress on the An
HOuncement of the Admiral.
The General Sentiment Against Him
as Candidate for the Presidency
STANDARD Bearers of the Demo-
cratic and Republican Parties Al
ready Practically Agreed Upon.


During the early hours of the day great
majority OF public men at the Capitol re-
fused to give credence to the report. They
scoffed at the suggestion that the Admiral
C. the American Navy had given utterance
to the statements accredited to him. As
time wore on and the authenticity of the
announcement became apparent the in
credulity of Congressman gave way to
astonishment OF the scores of Senators
and Representatives who were interviewed
only two indicated that they thought Ad-
/ miral Deweys Presidential aspirations
were In reason. These were Representa-
tive Levy of New York and Representa-
| tive Fleming of Georgia.
Mr.. Levy said: Il was one of the origl-
nal men to advocate Admiral Dewey's
nomination by the Democrats. l conf
! IDENTIFY believe that the Democratic party
I should nominate him. He would carry the
! State of New York by 100000 majority.
1 am more than ever convinced that he
should be the nominee of the Democrats,
| as one faction which proclaims itself to be
part of the party has declared in favor
| of the recent Nebraska platform, favoring
! the principles of Populism, anarchism. and
| socialism, and urging the amendment OF
the Constitution of our fathers, which the
Democrats have at all times persistently
refused to entertain, and brushing aside all
the Democratic principles Of Thomas JEFF
ferson. l am confident that the Demo-
cratic party will win this year on abolish
ing the war taxes and by advocating such
measures as will make us the greatest
commercial nation and the greatest naval
pow er in the world Admiral Dewey will
sweep the country from Maine to the Pa
cific Coast, and will restore US to the good
old times of prosperity under Democratic
rule"
Mr.. Fleming said: Dewey and Bryan
would make an invincible ticket. But
such ticket could not be arranged ex-
cept by Bryan's active cooperation. 1t
| could De. be done by his opponents"
Expressions of opinion from other mem
bers of Congress follow:
Mr. Mcclellan of New York: "The nomi-
nees Of the two great parties have prac-
tically been selected. There is apparently
no opportunity for Admiral Dewey"
Mr. Clayton OF Alabama: Admiral
Dewey has neither party nor platform. He
cannot and will not be nominated this
time. Bryan Is the candidate of the Demo-
cratic party. and he is twice as strong to
day as he was at the last election"
Mr.. McRae of Arkansas: There is no
one for whom | have greater respect than
for Admiral Dewey. and under any other
circumstances he would have my support
but the Democratic nomination is practi-
cally made" -
Mr.. Capron of Rhode Island: Admiral
Dewey has placed himself in an embar-
RAISING position, and / regret his lack of
caution and diplomacy"
Mr.. Mudd of Maryland: The Dewey
boom died out at Manila. There he han
died guns with which he is familiar Yes
terday he fired a gun in the use Of which
he Is a stranger"
Mr. Dolliver of Iowa: Admiral Dewey.
at Manila, stood upon the deck of float
ing fortress. In this contest he would not
have battleship, nor a cruiser, nor a tub
to stand on"
Mr.. Dalzell of Pennsylvania: Il admire
the Admiral's frankness in announcing
his willingness to accept the Presidency,
but think his craft needs rudder."
Mr.. Cooper of Wisconsin: The Admiral's
nautical training is perhaps complete, but
he is startlingly deficient In political train
ing"
Mr.. Cooper of Texas: with Bryan and
Mckinley in the field l do not see how
Admiral Dewey will find room"
Mr.. Joy of Missouri: Admiral Dewey
will not get single vote in the Republican
National Convention"
Mr.. Lacey of Iowa: Il think the nomina-
tions Of the great political parties are
about made
Nj. Burton of Ohio: This unusual per-
fornance on the part of the Admiral is a
pity"
Mr. Pugh OF Kentucky: at is very unfor-
tunate for a man to make such a demon
stration of his ambition"
Mr.. Bankhead of Alabama: The candi-
dates will be Bryan and Mckinley. TIere
is no chance for Admiral Dewey as a Presi-
dental candidate"
Mr.. Bartholdt of Missouri: Admiral
Dewey is the victim of an adviser who is
more ambitious than thoughtful"
Mr.. DeGratfenreid of Texas: Il don't see
where the Admiral can hope to come in.
as the candidates will be Bryan and Nc
Kinley"
Mr. Hay of Virginia: The AdmiraIs an
nouncement will have no more effect than
passing breeze. The signs of the times
point to Bryan and Mckinley"
Mr.. Brownlow of Tennessee: The Re
publican party will renominate President
Mckinley. Admiral Dewey is a great ma
val officer, but have no Information about
him as a President"
Mr. Henderson of Iowa: 81 think Ad
miral Dewey has made slight mistake"
Mr.. Payne of New York: II respect Ad-
miral Dewey's honesty and his complete
simplicity in politics"
Mr.. Littlefeld Of Maine: Il have great
respect for Admiral Dewey but l think
he is too late"
Mr.. Marsh of Illinois: Il think Admiral
Dewey has acted very unfortunately for
himself"
Mr. Parker of New Jersey: There is
vast difference between commanding a
fleet and the ship of state"
Mr.. Wilson of Arizona: Admiral Dewey
has had more experience at sea than in
politics or public affairs
Mr.. Slayden of Texas: Il would vote for
George Dewey for Admiral. but l am
pledged to vote for Bryan for President"
Mr.. Campbell of Montana: Let shoe
maker stick to his last"
Mr.. Allen of Maine: THE Republican
nomination is practically made"
Mr.. Bartlett OF Georgia: THE Democratic
standard bearer is already chosen
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois: "Oh, don't let's !
talk about it,"
Mr. Fitzgerald of Massachusetts. "Ad- |
miral Dewey is an excellent admiral"
MIR. Freer of West Virginia Admiral |
DewyI is veteran at sea- but he is an |
infant in politics"
Mr.. Lentz OF Ohio: Admiral Dewey is |
the right man to command fleet. The |
does not know how he stands on |
public issues
Mr.. Sulzer of New York: so far as the
Democrats are concerned they have al |
ready nominated their candidate in the |
person of William j. Bryan. who can beat |
Dewey. Mckinley, or any other man"
Mr.. DAILY of New Jersey: The American |
people respect a man in his place and are
not hero wOrshipers. Dewey Is a good |
Admiral. but | object to putting him on
the ticket. He is not Democrat enough |
for me anyhow. If he wanted to get on
the Democratic ticket he should have de-
clared his politics long ago"
L. az i.i,. q