The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-03

Inc lSlOt upon tHe navy.
Last Saturday as ono of the later car
riages followed that which bore Admiral
DEWEY down the parade line there werc
noticeable manifestations Of applause.
This carriage had the unique distinction of
being also the target for bouquets. On the
rear seat sat man in the dress of Rear
Admiral. He took the bouquets that fell
into the carriage at once lovingly in his
arms, and added to the pile as the tar whose
seat in the procession was on the box
brought in those that had fallen on the
pavement. As the applause moved on the
officer frequently raised his eyes to
some upper window and, raising also
his hand nuttered it in familiar
fashion to some presumable acquaintance.
In the bearing\of its chief occupant this
carriage presented n striking contrast with
the dignity that marked invariably every
other vehicle preceding it. Indeed such
figure in public parade was probably
never seen before. 1t Is needless to say
that the officer in question was Rear Adj
miral WINFIELD SCOTT SCHLEY.
The applause and flowers were bestowed
upon SCHLEY on the fanatical and baseless
theory that besides being a prosecuted man
he was the victor of Santiago, although be-
fore him on Saturday there rode the com
mander OF the fleet, Rear Admiral SAMPSON,
and two captains of ships, PHILIP and
TAYLOR, who il they were to be compared
with SCHLEY for the quality Of their action
at Santiago, would have TO receive the
superior award.
1t was peculiar occurrence, such dem
onstration on day dedicated to the Navy,
for the reason that Rear Admiral SCHLEY
is to-day the Nays worst enemy.
In the first place, it is because Of SCHLEY
that no man OF the Atlantic Navy has
received the award assigned him by tho
President in connection with the Cuban
campaign. Led by the Senators of SCHLEYS
State, Maryland, both hostile to the Adj
mnistraton, the Schley party in Congress
succeeded in getting the entire promotion
list thrown out because they enved the
recognition given there to the commander
of the Santiago fleet and organizer OF the
victory, WILLIAM T. SAMPSON. That
chiefly concerns, however, SCHLEY's per-
sonal relations with the individual men and
officers between whom and the honors due
them SCHLEY has stood. The great injury
done to the Navy by ScHLEY is primarily
not to one or more brothers-in-arms, but
TO the service at large, upon which he has
brought the discredit OF incompetency
and INSTRUMENTATION, and the disgrace of
positive dishonesty.
The Navy, historically a shining and
spotlcss pride OF the American people. has
certain rules OF public and private conduct to
observe and to defend for the preservation
OF its efficiency. its reputation and its
honor and so long az the official record is
hat ia n tnH hn
service wronged in the person OF Admiral
ScHLEY No friend Of the Navy can give
honor to SCHLEY while he suffers himself to
remain under the Navy Departments CEN
sure.
Here is a short statement of facts about
SCHLEY that are down on tho official
records OF the Navy Department:
l. SCHLEY was guilty OF continual moon
potency throughout his voyage from Key
West to Santiago.
ii. He was guilty Of insubordination In
deliberate disobedience Of orders.
III. AS commander Of the blockading fleet
before SIMPSONS arrival, he maneuvred
his vessels In the presence Of the Spaniards
in a manner that years ago caused British
Admiral, BYNG, to be shot on the charge OF
cowardice.
". "Reprehensible conduct"
V. AS Captain of tho Brooklyn at San
tiago-for in effect he was nothing else anc
played no other part than Captain in the
fleet which acted under SIMPSONS orders
ScHLEY committed the only fault in sea
manship that marked the contest. Nc
other officer can be criticised.
VI. Guilty of fraud, of constructive forg
gerry. in garbling for publication the private
correspondence between himself and Lieu
tenant-Commande HoDGsoN, in order to re-
lievo himself ofthe accusation publicly made
that he, SCHLEY had made false statement
to the United States Senate
There Is a seventh charge against him not
upon the Navy Departments books, bu
none the less notorious affecting his per
sona relations with brother officer. This
is that he permitted the unfortunate HoDG
SON to be called liar by the Schey press
for lie that was SCHLEY's.
Now, all this is not mere opinion, %
inference, but cold record on the books o
the United States Government. To an i'm
partial mind it presents for SCHLEY the al
formative of demanding n Court of Inquiry
where he may show all accusations To b.
basclcss, and popular favor like that mani
Tested on Saturday to be deserved or to re
sign himself to ignominy and isolation.
SCHLEY cntrcnches himself behind tn
Administrations failure to order him befor
such II court. The fact is that tho Admin
istratiUn afterthe battle of Santiago decme
1t desirable to lot all blame be sealed up i
victory, and therefore included SCHLE
among the promoted in spite of his recorc
and hence has regarded itself rs cstoppc
from further proceedings
But would man possessing the ordinar