The San Juan County index. (Aztec, N.M.) 1890-19??, 1899-05-19

II is a most extraordinary circum-
stance that nearly every newspaper in
the United States and the public gen
orally have accepted Admiral Schley,
next to Admiral Dewey, as the great
est naval hero Of the war, although the
oficials Of the Navy Department and
the officers Of the navy yard who
served with him are unanimously Of a
uluerent opinion. In the controversy
that n g going on In the Senate
n In official circles here Admiral
Schley has had the active assist
ance OF a great many influential
society people and politicians general.
~, and has directed the campaign him
self from headquarters at the Metro
politan Club. He Is what everybody
calls " a good fellow a very attract
i've man, with a fascinating PERSONAL
~, and a great favorite at teas, dinner
parties and receptions. especially with
the ladies'. He has q pleasant word for
everybody, is full Of compliments and
gracious cOrdiallty, and wherever he
goes Is followed by a retinue Of admir-
ers. He has accepted every invitation
that has been offered him, has been
the hOnOred guest at public banQuets
and private dinners every day or two
since the war, and has placed himself
on terms of friendship and confidence
with almost every man he has met.
Admiral Sampson Is a cold, reticent,
retiring scholar. He goes to a
club or a social gathering unless his
duty requires It. He cannot make a
speech, his manner are austere and
dignihed, and he Is as different in his
disposition and personality from Admit
raj Schley as President Harrison was
from Secretary Blaine. Since the war
he has been in Washington but twice,
and then only on official business. He
saw no one but the President and the
secretary OF the navy, did not go to
any Of the clubs or the capitol, and
has consistently declined all invitations
to dinners, receptions and ether public
entertainments. l believe he has Gp-
peared In public only nee on a festive
occasion since the battle of Santiago,
and that was at a dinner given in hon
or OF the captains of his feet by the
Colonial Club of New York. He has
declined a hundred invitations to SINH
Tar banquets. Since the war he was en-
gagged for several months as a member
Of the Evacuation Commission in Ha-
vana, and has continued in command
Of the North Atlantic squadron, where
as Admiral Schley has been on leave OF
absence In Washington. and has been
seen daily at the capitol, the club and
hotels, c%ultivating senators, represen-
tatives, newspaper men and other peO-
pie Of influence continually.
This illustrates the difference be-
tween the two men, and without going
into the merits Of the controversy II is
only fair to say that while Schley has
the public on his side Sampson has
the confidence and support Of all his
professional associates. Captain Evans
of the Iowa, Captain Taylor of the In
diana, Captain Clark of the Oregon,
Commodore Higginson Of the Massa-
chusetts, Commodore Philip Of the
Texas, Captain Chadwick of the New
York, Captain McCalla of the Marble
head, Captain Sigsbee of the st. Paul,
Commander Wainwright Of the Glou-
cester. Captain Ludlow Of the Puri-
tan, Captain Goodrich Of the st. Louis,
Captain FOlger Of the New Orleans,
Captain Davis Of the Dixie, and every
other commander Of every other ship
that composed the feet OF the United
States in the West India waters during
the war sides with Sampson. with the
exception Of Captain Cook, who com
manded the Brooklyn. Admiral Schley's
flagship. He has maintained an entire.
ly neutral position. Lieutenant Com.
mander Sears, Admiral Schley's hgG
officer, who was a member Of the 'mer.
1t board" that reviewed the operations
OF the feet. also gives the credit Of the
victory to Sampson instead Of to his
avn commander. 1t win be admitted
that this is a most extraordinary stu.
alton, and many Of the officers named
who, by the etiquette of the navy are
prevented from taking part in the con.
troversy, have urged the ~appOintmeG'
Of a court Of inquiry in order that they
might have the opportunity to testify
In SIMPSONS favor. Admiral Schley
has not asked for one.-Chicago Rec.
ord.