The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-14
SAMPSON SEEKS
TO Be OMIT TED
Would Advance Other
Naval Officers.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, March 13.-Secre-
tary Long has received a letter from
Rear Admiral Sampson in which the
admiral, after referring to the allega-
tions that the list of officers recon-
mended for promotion for gallantry off
Santiago had failed of confirmation be-
cause it contained his name. asked the
Secretary TO Immediately reappoint
these officers, emitting his name.
The text of Rear Admiral SIMPSONS
letter is as follows:
U. S. Flagship New York, First Rate,
Havana, Cuba, March 9, 1899.
Sir: I 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 ]
was placed in command of the North At
lantic fleet, and after the declaration of
rear admiral and confirmed in my COM
mand. This duty and responsibility
came to me entirely. unsought, nor had
I any especial wish for it, though recog-
nizing the great honor then conferred
upon me. My sole aim was to achieve
success: to blockade Cuba. destroy Ger
vera's fleet and to maintain an efficient
war fleet.
1t is not necessary to dwell upon the
incidents of the war, which are all now
well known. Based upon these incidents
full service, were named by me, in the
exercise of my natural duty as COM
mander-in-chief. for promotion or such
other reward as you, sir, might deem de-
Sirable. These names you have been
pleased to nominate to the United States
Senate for promotion and you have done
me the honor to admit my name TO that
list of officers.
1t now appears that the Senate, though
well disposed TO most of the names on
that list has for reasons not necessary
m he hero discussed Objected TO
motion, has similarly failed TO confirm the
deserving officers about whose merits
there has been no doubt or discussion.
Hitherto, undisturbed by any eager de-
sire for advancement, or any other form
of reward for doing my duty, have not
specially concerned myself with matters
have done my duty in the conduct of the
West Indian naval campaign to the ut
most extent of my ability as thor
oughly as l was able, and If no reward
should come l could be satisfied with the
conscientiousness of having done my best.
| did not, however, anticipate that dis
satisfaction with any act or acts OF mine
would cause the Senate to withhold from
other officers a promotion which they
have we'll deserved and which has been
promptly granted In similar circum-
l therefore respectfully suggest, Mr..
President, that your appointment of these
officers about whom there is no discus
sion, should be at once renewed, in order
that they may at once secure their pro-
motions under the personnel bill, to which
they are entitled and without creating
Confusion. Very respectfully,
w. T. SAMPSON.
The President of the United States,
through the Secretary of the Navy.
Secretary Long will not accept the
suggestion made by Rear Admiral
Sampson in his letter and make recess
appointments of officers who failed of
confirmation at the last session of Con-
matter will be allowed to
remain Just as it stands until the next
Congress meets and then all of the
nominations will be sent in precisely as
thew stood at the end of the last session.