Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-01-19

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
yard and the naval torpedo station at
Newport; inspected lighthouses end served
as naval secretary on the Lighthouse
Board; spent two years travelling on sick
leave in search of health; four years as
chief of the Bureau of Equipment; and
at the age of SO 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 a
testimonial to the hero Of Manila and they
presented him with house in Washing
ton. Dewey, who had been widower
since 1872 had just married Mrs. Mildred
Mclean Hazen of Washington and he
turned over the gift house to her. Shortly
aftelward Admiral and Mrs. Dewey left
the gift house and lived in the wifes form
er home.
In 1900 Admiral Dewey was seriously
talked of as a candidate for the Republi-
can nomination as President, but the Ad-
miral preferred to remain in the naval
ranks rather than to seek such venture
in craftsmanship. 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 Admiral Won Diederichs of the Ger
man navy regarding the conduct of the
German squadron during the blockade oil
/ Manila Bay, IL years before. In his auto
biography, Admiral Dewey criticised vor
Dedrichs for failing to observe the neu
trality laws and hold how shot was free
across the bows of one of the German
ships to impress it with the fact that this
American navy had established blockade
and would countenance no undue activity
on the part of the German ships, sus
pected at the time as friendly to Spain
"A difference of opinion about interna
tional law had been adjusted" sale
Dewey, without adding to the sum o
President Nckinley'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
and knew why defeat or victory had come
from certain movements and this withou
doubt was one of the factors that con
tributed to his own success in warfare.
One of the finest estimates of Admira
Dewey's character is contained in a trit
ute rendered to him by his old-time ship
! mate, Admiral Sampson, who was fightn
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
"The service knows Dewey as an idea
head of fleet. Perfectly courageous, c
thoroughly balanced judgment. and quic
of decision, he has the qualities whic
carry one to fame if opportunity be giver
! The man and the hour fortunately cam
together End the country is richer in ar
other. brilliant page of history and anothe
heroic figure. His career has given a loft
impetus to the young which Will bear frui
. in nobler aspirations. He has become on
of the most valued possessions which a Ia
ton can have as a national hero