The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-14

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 49,
Secretary Long has received letter
from Rear Admiral Sampson, in which
the admiral after referring to the ale
cations that the list OF officers recon-
mended for promotion for gallantry off
Santiago had failed OF confirmation be-
cause 1t included his name, asked the
secretary TO Immediately reappoint
these officers, omitting his own name.
The text OF Rear Admiral Simpsons
letter is Us follows:
United States Flagship New York,
First Rate, Havana. Cuba, March, 1899.
"sIR:-I respectfully ask your at
tention to the facts contained in this
letter, and that 1t may be officially filed
as part OF my record In the United
States navy.
l"When the late war was threatened,
I was placed in command of the North
Atlantic fleet, and after the declaration
OF war, was appointed by the President
a rear admiral, and confirmed in my
command.
This duty and responsibility came to
me entirely unsought. nor had any es-
pecial wish for II, though recognizing
the great honor then conferred upon me.
My sole aim was to achieve success;
to blockade Cuba; to destroy Cervera's
fleet. and to maintain an efficient war
fleet.
ut Is not necessary to dwell upon the
Incidents of the war. which are all now
dents certain officers distinguished for
faithful service were named By me, in
the exercise of my natural duty as COM
mander-in-chie for promotion or such
other reward as you. sir. might deem
desirable. Those names You have been
pleased to nominate TO the United States
senate for promotion. and you have done
me the honor TO add my name to that
list of officers.
1T now appears that the senate,
though we'll disposed to most OF, the
names on that list, has, for reasons not
necessary to be here discussed. objected
to my promotion, and has similarly fall
ed to confirm the deserving officers
about whose merits there has been no
doubt or discussion.
Hitherto. Mr.. President, undisturbed
by ar eager desire for advancement, or
any other form Of reward for doing my
duty,I have not specially concerned my
self with matters outside of that duty.
] have felt that have done my duty in
the conduct OF the West Indian naval
campaign 10 the utmost extent OF my
ability as thoroughly as was able. and
IL no reward should come, I could be
satisfied with the consciousness Of hay
Ing done my best. did not, however,
anticipate that dissatisfaction with any
act or acts OF mine would cause the
senate TO withhold from other officers a
promotion which they have well de-
served, and which has been promptly
granted In similar circumstances to
others.
II therefore respectfully suggest, Mr.,
President, that your appointment of
these officers about whom there IS no
discussion. should be ut once renewed
In order that they may thus secure
their promotions under the personnel
bill to which thcv are entitled, and
without creating confusion.
Very respectfully.
NV. T. SAMPSON.
The President OF the United States
Of America.
Through the secretary Of the navy"
Secretary Long will not accent the
suggestion made by Rear Admiral
Sampson in his letter published to-day
and make recess appointments of the
officers who failed OF confirmation at the
last session OF Congress. The matter
will be allowed TO remain just MS 1t
stands until the next Congress meets
and then all OF the nominations will be
sent precisely as they stood at the end
of the last session.