The evening times., 1895-10-30

The case of Commander Ludlow promises
to be one oc the most interesting of those
affecting naval Officers which the pres
ent administration has acted upon.
The case is not settled by any means.
Contrary TO general opinion, IL is still
in the hands OF the President, to whom Com
mandcr Ludlow, through counsel, has pre-
sented-an argument in defense of mis- course
in furnishing the Navy Department with
alleged contradictory statements respect
ing the character and efficiency of Com
mander c. s. Sperry, recently promoted.
Commander Ludlow requests the President
to review his ease In the light OF the ne v
statements submitted or to order the case
before new board. Inhis argument to the
President Commander Ludlow says that his
apparently contradictory reports In relation
to Commander sperry were justified by the
facts and that his case is entitled to favor
able consideration. The friends Of the COM
mander who have read his brief say that
the point he makes puts an entirely differ
ent and favorable hight ON his case.
1t seems that Commander Ludlow took
command OF the Quinn.Daug In 1883, when
that vessel was attached to the European
squadron. In July, 1884, Commander
sperry, then n lieutenant, Joined the YES
sci as executive officer.
DATE is IMPORTANT.
In October, 1Ss6-Coniman nder Ludlow at
taches much Importance to this date In the
defense OF his coursc--the commander of the
Quinnebaug received official Information
from the Navy Department that Lieut.. Sper-
ry was to be examined for promotion to
the grade OF lieutenant commander.
There had been a serious difference be-
tween the two officers In the winter OF
1854 and 1885 in relate to the manner OF
performing duty by the junior. Commander
Ludlow finally placed Lieut.. Sperry under
spect. Lieut.. Sperry, feeling that injustice
had been done him, appealed TO the admiral
commanding the squadron.
As result a court OF inquiry was ordered
to meet on board the flagship Lancaster
About this time that ship, under orders
from the Navy Department, sailed for the
west coast of Africa. Lieut.. Sperry's coun-
sci, il appears, then proposed to Com
nander Ludlow that the case be dropped,
and there being no objection on the part OF
the comma Dder, no court followed.
Otherwise, IL seems. the relations OF the
two Officers were amicable, for in his state
ment Commander Ludlow said that between
July, 1884, and October, 1885, the CON
duet of his executive had been excellent.
On October 4 Commander Ludlow was con-
denIned by medical board as unfit for
service on account OF physical satellites
incurred in line OF duty.
The board recommended that he be sent
home to a hospital for treatment, but two
and half months afterward he remained
in command of the Quinnebaug. until De
ccmber, 1885. 1t was then that his trouble
with Lieut. Sperry came about.
In October. 1898. the Navy Department
again called upon Commander Ludlow FOR
a sworn statement as tn the fitness or
Lieutenant Commander Spcrry. This was
eight years a fter the first set OF intcrroga-
tories. and Lieutenant Commander Sperry
was To be examined for advancement To
command rank.
I .ConnaBder Ludlow stated that the con-
duct OF his former executive. was not such