Arizona republican., 1912-12-27
ADMIRAL DEWEY
 HAS BIRTHDAY
Long Stream of Visitors Call Upon Distinguished Naval Officer and Extend Congratulations on Sey- enty-Fifth Anniversary

WASHINGTON, D. C. Dec 26.- An almost continuous stream of mes sengers climbed the stone steps of handsome residence at the corner of sixteenth and K streets today. while through the portals of the big house there passed at frequent inter- vals men whose furrOWed broWs and dignified bearing stamped them as diplomats, judges, senators or high officers of the army or navy.
 The house. as described by the megaphone men on the rubber neck" wagons, is the home of Ad- miral George Dewey. hero of the bat tie of Manila bay" Admiral Dewey reached his seventy fifty birthday an- niversary today and was the recipi- ent of flood of congratulations, oral and written, from his many friends in official as well as private life. The admiral and his family remained at home the greater part of the day, and gave a cordial welcome to the many friends who called to pay their re- spectS.
 Admiral Dewey is in good health. considering his years and arduous services. and is still able to attend to his duties as president of the naval general board. He is rather proud of the fact that he is seventy-five years old, for few men have reached his age retaining their good looks. the vigor Of mental and physical youth. and, last. but not least, the natural optimism of schoolboy.
 The admiral is native of Mont pelier, Vt. He began his remarkable career early, and could he live his life over again, he says. he would not change the course it has taken. After a course at the Norwich Military Academy, supplementing the valuable personal instruction of his father who was one of the best known physicians of his day, the future sea fighter entered the naval academy at the age of sixteen Immediately upon leaving the academy. four years later, in 1S5S he was ordered to active ser vice and, lacking only few months space of time, he has now been fifty eight years in the navy. For the admiral is still on the active list of the navy and will remain so until the end of his days. This is in virtue of the act of congress creating him a full admiral, the only officer Of his rank in the American navy. and which insures him the full pay Of his grade, SIS, 5000 a year, during his lifetime.
 Admiral Dewey says that, excepting the too close proximity of the bullets, the most interesting training he re ceiVed after leaving school was under Admiral Farragut, from 1861 to 1863. in the Mississippi river squadron. He happened to he at his home in Mont pelier when Fort Sumter was fired upon. One week later he obtained his commission as lieutenant and was ordered to the west gulf squadron. Admiral Farragut conceived a great liking for the dashing and yet cool headed young officer and distinguish ed him by making him first lieutenant of one of his gunboats
 The story of how Captain Dewey and his squadron of American war ships sailed into Manila bay on that historic Sunday morning in 1898 and wiped out the Spanish fleet there is familiar to all. A fact less generally known, however, is that of Dewey's captains" in the Manila bay engage ment, who in later years made it a habit to join in a dinner as the ad- miraPs guests on the battle anniver- sary, the only one still living is Rear Admiral Asa Walker. whose home is in Annapolis
 For the past twelve years Admiral Dewey has held his present position as head of the general board, the highest in the gift of the navy, and has made his Headquarters in Wash ington. Though seeking always to avoid publicity, Admiral Dewey has become a familiar figure in the capi- tai through his daily drives through 1 the parks in an open carriage. While he is not quite so robust as he was before his illness of year or so ago he may be said to be in good health. ! and he continues to perform his du- ties as president of the general board with as keen interest as officers l young enough to be his sons. His position keeps him in touch with all , that the navy does It is warlI that 1 he likes; it keeps his faculties sharp