The herald., 1898-07-28

note of progress too faint to elude the pub
lie ear, and as the efficiency of the Brook
lyn, Massachusetts, Texas, Minneapolis
and Columbia was made clear the interest
in them and their commander became, day
by day, more keenly personal and direct.
what manner of man is Schley?" was
often asked, land how near in achievement
and promise to the ideal created by the
popular fancy for the chief of such array?"
Happily, the answer Is not hard to find.
Out of the many fine seamen Of our fleet
no one better suited for the special essay
assigned flying squadron could have
been chosen. His appointment was ap-
proved by the service, because 1t knew that
his temperament and theories. his expert
ence and achievements established his fit
ness for his command. Had he been Sc
lected for the control Of sluggish fleet,
sullenly disposed in a slow but relentless
reduction of fortified places, questions
might have arisen as to the advisabdlity Of
such employment for such q hotspur of
the sea. But detailed to a squadron,
wherein mobility. alertness, unexpected
ness and daring-the quick arrival, the sud-
den crushing blow. the up and away" for
other waters-were the informing qualities
why, nothing could be sure-and nowhere
could be found better man.
In any appraisement of his qualities 1t
must be set down that he is, first of all, an
eager sailor. A sailor from clew to ear
ing, from tuck to kelson, as mariners put 1t
in their archaic way. He is frank, earnest,
sturdy, urbane; skilled in work, ineistent
upon thoroughness, punctilious in cour-
tesy and genially exacting in every per-
Torrance Of duty. But AN this being ac-
cepted, he is never a Journalist in those
harsh, unyielding grooves which make ma
chimes of men, for like Farragut, he is
quick with many quips and humorous fan
cies, famed as a raconteur and dexterous
in a repartee which is wise and witty and
never unkind. His experiences have been
varied, his mental requirements are sound
and extended. He has seen service in civil
lied and uncivilized warfare has COM
manded an Arctic expedition and has work.
ed his way from midshipman to commodore,
not by leaps and bounds such as old Pepys
loved to describe, but after achieving the
knowledge and experiences offered in each
grade, and demanded by every painful
round of that exacting ladder on which so
many fail.
To watch Commodore Schley pacing the
windward bear tread of his quarter deck,
or chatting, In the narrow limits of the fly
ing bridge, neither his years nor service
afioat could be fairly gagged. At fifty
nine he moves with the vigor Of thirty, and
his blue eyes are as keen and restless as
those of hunting birds shooting edgewise
up the promising wind. His figure is tall,
strong. well preserved; his "set up'-the
nameless something which marks the man
who has worn the sword from boyhood-is
squared and straight and balanced, and he
carries himself with the disciplined grace
of a young ensign fresh from Annapolis.
and precise in steps and shoulders, trained
to the differences 'twixt west and south
west side.
He was born in Frederick. Maryland. In
1889, and was named Winfield Scott Schley,
after the old American general-in- chief
who was, at the time. visiting his father.
The first of the American Schleys (Which
you will please pronounce so as to get near
ly the sound Of sly and not that OF
"slay') came to Georgia from Schleswtg-
on-the-Schley. Germany. AS was often the
custom in those simpler days. all but the
name Of the river was dropped, and SO for
been worthily borne by men distinguished
for their mental and social qualities in two
colonial states. He entered the Naval
academy in 1856. was graduated with nc
particular distinction in 1860 and was Sent
to sea in a famous frigate of the day.
Notwithstanding the example Of 9th.
er southerners who were his shipmates or
this first cruise. he stuck by the flag wher
the ship hurried home in 1861. and was soor
In the thick and middle Of much hard fight
ing In the gulf, up the great river and no
tably off Port Hudson. whore he achieved
official credit in general battle and in cut
ting out expeditions. 1862 he was pro
NOTED to lieutenant, and in 1864 he was
transferred to the Pacific squadron, re
ceiving two years later his commission a.
lieutenant commander. His service Their
has been active, diverse, valuable. HI
was head of the department of language.
at the naval academy, for he Is noted
linguist. and among other accomplish
ments is an unusually well-equipped Span
ish scholar. He went to the China ant
the South Asiatic stations, and was en-
gagged in putting down an insurrection o.
coolies, in assisting In the memorable as
sault made by our squadron and landing
parties on the Corean fortresses, and II
suppressing an insurrection that invade'
our interests In American waters. HI