The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-14
SIMPSONS SELF-SACRIFlCE.
WANTS THE OTHER OFFICERS APP
POINTED WITHOUT HIM.

Has written a Letter to the Presi-
dent Through Secretary Long.
GERS to Go Unrewarded ON Account
of Senate's Opposition Tor Him.
Secretary Long VIII Wait Until
Congress Meets.
Washington. March 1S.-Secretary Long
has received a letter from Rear Admiral
Sampson, in which the admiral after re-
ferring to the allegations that the list
of officers recommended for promotion for
gallantry off Santiago had failed of con-
firmation because 1t included his name,
asked the secretary to Immediately reap
point these officers, emitting his own
name. The text of the letter is as fol-
lows:
United States Flagship New York,
first-rate, Havana, Cuba, March 9, 1885,
Sir; respectfully ask your attention to
the facts contained in this letter, and that
it may be officially filed as part of my
record in the United States Navy.
when the late war was threatening,
lantic fleet, and after the declaration of
war, was appointed by the President rear
admiral and confirmed in my command.
This duty and responsibility came to
me entirely unsought, nor had l any espe-
cial wish for it, though recognizing the
great honor then conferred upon me.
My sole aim was to achieve success; to
blockade Cuba. destroy Cervera's feet and
to maintain an efficient war fleet.
1T is not necessary to dwell upon the in
cidents of the war; which are all now well
known. Based upon these incidents. GER
tain officers, distinguished for faithful
service, we've named by me, in the exer-
else of my natural duty as eommander-in-
chief, 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.
Objected to His Promotion.
1T now appears that the Senate though
well disposed to most of the names on
| that list has, for reasons MOI necessary to
be here discussed. objected 10 my promo
ton, and has similarly failed to confirm
the deserving officers about whose merits
there has been no doubt or discussion.
Hitherto. Mr.. President, undisturbed
| by an eager desire for advancement, or
| any other form of reward for doing my
| duty, l have not especially concerned my
| self with matters outside of that duty.
| have felt that l have done my duty in the
| conduct of the West Indian naval cam
| paign to the utmost extent of my ability,
| as Thoroughly as | was able, and, if nc
reward should come, l could be satisfied
| with the consciousness of having done my
best l did not, however anticipate that
dissatisfaction With any act OF acts OF
mine would cause the Senate to withhold
from other officers a promotion which they
have well deserved. and which has been
promptly granted in similar circumstances
to others.
~ therefore respectfully suggest, Mr.
President, that your appointment of these
officers about whom. There is no discus
sion should lat once be renewed in order
that they may secure their promotion un-
der the personnel bill to which they are
entitled and without creating confusion
Very respectfully, w. Il. Sampson
ITO the President of the United States
of America, through the Secretary of the
Navy"
VIII Not Accept Suggestion.
Secretary Long will hot accept the sug
gestion made by Rear Admiral Sampson
in his letter published to-day. to make
recess appointments of the officers wht
failed of confirmation at the last session
of Congress.
The matter will be allowed to remain
Just as ii stands until the next Congress
! meets. and then all of the nominations
will be sent in precisely as they stood a
the end of the last session.