The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-01-17

fire, the young officer lived five years in
an hour"
From the close of the Civil war until
the opening of the Spanish-American, the
life OF the American naval officer was
made up of routine duty at sea and
ashore. During this period. the future
admiral cruised; taught class at Annap
oils; surveyed lower California and part
of the west coast of Mexico; carried sup
plies to the survivors of the siege of
Paris; performed duty at Boston navy
ward and the naval torpedo station at
Newport: inspected lighthouses and served
as naval secretary on the Lighthouse
Board spent two years travelling on a sick
leave in search of health; four years as
chief of the Bureau of Equipment; and
at the age of % was serving as president
OF the board Of inspection and survey with
the rank of commodore. 1t was in this
important naval office that he presided at
the trials of all the battleships, except the
Oregon, which were to demolish the Span
ish squadron at Santiago
Shortly after his return from Manila
Bay, Admiral Dewey found himself in the
fire OF popular criticism over the gift
house incident American citizens had
raised $4,000 by public subscription as
testimonial to tie hero of Manila and they
presented him with house in Washing
ton. Dewey, who had been a widower
since 1872, had Just married Mrs Mildred
Mclean Iazen Of Washington and he
turned over the gift house to her Shortly
atterward Admiral and Mrs Dewey left
the gift house and lived in the wife,s form
er home
In 1900 Admiral Dewey was seriously
talked Of as candidate for the Republi-
can nomination as President but the Adj
miral preferred to remain in the naval
ranks rather than to seek such venture
in statesmanship His admirers have
since often spoken Of him as the man who
could have been President if he had
wished
! Early in 1914 Admiral Dewey again be-
came conspicuous in the current news by
revival OF the long standing controversy
with Admir64 Won Diedefichs of the Ger
man navy regarding the conduct OF the
German squadron during the blockade Of
Manila Bay, 10 Years before 10 In his auto.
biography, Admiral Dewey criticised Won
NedTichs for failing TO observe the neu.
trality laws and hold how shot was fired
across the bows OF one Of the German
ships to impress it with the fact that the
American navy had established a blockade
land would eounteuance no undue activity
ION the part of the German ships, sus
lpected at the time as friendly to Spain.
~ difference of opinion about inteIna
Itlonal law had been adjusted" sait
Dewey, without adding to the sum o
President Mckinlcy,s worries
Dewey was always a great student o
history; he knew every naval campaign
that had been waged from the days of an
cient Greece and Rome, had analyzed then
tand knew why defeat or victory had com,
from certain movements and this withou
doubt was one of the factors that con
ltuhuted to his own success in warfare
One OF the finest estimates of Admra
Dewey character is contained in trib
ute rendered to him 10y his old-time ship
mate, Admiral Sampson. who was fghtin
the Spaniards in the Caribbean Will
Dewey was lying in Manila Bay, Resin
on the laurels he had won in the famou
battle OF the lst Of May Sampson said
".Ehe service knows Dewey as an idea
I head of fleet, Perfectly courageous. G
a Thoroughly balanced judgment. and quic
lot decision, he has the qualities whic
carry one to fame if opportunity be giver
! The man and the hour fortunately cam
d together and the country Is richer in al
. lother brilliant page of history and anothe
7 heroic figure. His career las given loft
: impetus to the young which VIII bear iru
! in noblcr aspirations. lie has become on
n lof the most valued possessions which Il;
i ti0n can have as rational hero