The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-17
ALLAN TURNER

houses 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 thu
Bureau Of Equipment; and at the age
Of 50 was serving as president of the
Board of Inspection and Survey with
the rank of Commodore. II was in this
important naval office that he presided
at tho trials Of all the battleships, ex-
cept the Oregon, which were to demol-
ish the Spanish squadron at Santiago.
Shortly after his return from Manila
Bay, Admiral Dewey found himself in
the fire Of popular criticism over tho
gift house incident" American citi-
zens had raised $4,000 by public sub
scription as 4 testimonial to the hero Of
Manila and they presented him with a
house in Washington. Dewey. who had
been a widower since 1872. had just mar
ried Mira. Mildred Mclean Hazen Of
Washington, and he turned over the gift
house to her. Shortly afterward the
Admiral and Mrs. Dewey left the gift
house and lived in rne wife's former
home.
In 1900 Admiral Dewey was seriously
talked Of ns II candidate for the Repub-
lican nomination rs President, but the
Admiral preferred to remain in the
naval ranks rather than TO seek such a
venture in craftsmanship. His admir-
crs have since often spoken or him as
the man who could have been a Presi-
dent II he had wished.
Again In the Llmeught.
EARLY in 1914 Admiral Dewey again
became conspicuous in the current news
by revival Of the long standing con-
trovcrsy with Admiral Won Diederichs
Of the German navy regarding the con-
duct of the German squadron during the
blockade of Manila Bay. Is years before.
In his biography. Admiral Dewey
criticised Won Diedrichs for falling to
hcn No - tA11
how q 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 and would
countenance no undue activity on the
part OF the German ships, suspected 1t
the time as friendly to Spain.
"A difference of opinion about inter-
national law had been adjusted" said
Dewey, without adding 10 the sum of
President Mckinley's worries"
Dewey was always a great student of
history; he knew every naval campaign
that had been waged from the days OF
ancient Greece and Rome had analysed
them and knew why defeat or victory
had come from certain movements and
this without doubt was one OF the fac
tors that contributed TO his own sue
cess in warfare.
One of the finest estimates OF Admiral
Dcwey's character is contained In a
tribute rendered to him by his old-ttme
shipmate. Admiral Sampson. who was
fighting the Spaniards in the Caribbean
while Dewey was lying in Manila Bay,
resting on the laurcls he had won in
the famous battel Of the First of May.
Sampson said:
THE service knows Dewey as an ideal
head of a fleet. Perfectly courageous.
Of thoroughly balanced judgment. and
quick Of decision. he has the qualities
which carry one TO fame If opportunity
be given. The man and the hour for
lunately came together and the country
is RICHER in another brilliant page Of
history and another heroic figure. His
career has given 4 lofty impetus to the
young which will bear fruit in nobler
aspirations lie has become one of the
most valued possessions which nation
can hnvo-a notioDo1 horn"