The record-union., 1899-03-14
REAR ADMIRAL SAMPSON.
WRITES A LETTER TO PRESI.
DENT MCKINLEY.
Asking That Officers Failing Con.
frmation be Reappointed,
With His Name Omitted.

| WASHINGTON, March 13.-Secre-
| tary Long has received a letter from
Rear Admiral Sampson, in which the
Admiral, after referring to the aalega-
| tions that the list of officers recon-
mended for promotion for gallantry off
! Santiago had failed of confirmation be-
cause it included his name, asked the
Secretary to Immediately reappoint
| these officers, emitting his own name.
| The text of Rear Admiral Sampson S
letter is as follows:
81. S. Flagship New York, First
Rate.
Havana CCuba), March 9, 1899.
"Sir: 1 respectfully ask your atten-
ton to the facts contained in this let
ter, and that it may be officially filed
as part of my record in the United
States navy.
when the late war was being
planned I was placed in command of
the North Atlantic fleet, and after the
| declaration of war was appointed by
the President Rear Admiral and con-
| firmed in my command.
This duty came to me entirely I'M
sought, nor had I any special 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 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 Incl
dents certain officers distinguished for
faithful 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
desirable. 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 we'll disposed toward most Of
the names on that list has for reasons
not necessary to be here discussed OBJ
jected to my promotion, and has SINH
larly failed to- confirm the deserving Of
ficers about whose merits there has
been no doubt or discussion. Hitherto,
Mr.. President, undisturbed by any
eager desire for advancement or any
other form of reward for doing my duty
l have not specially concerned myself
". L
have felt that have done my duty in
the conduct of the West Indian naval
campaign to the utmost extent of my
ability as thoroughly as I was able,
and if no reward should come 1 could
be satisfied with the constituencies of
having done my best. 1 did not, how
ever, anticipate that dissatisfaction
with any act or acts of mine would
cause the Senate to withhold from
other officers promotion which they
have well deserved, and which has
been promptly granted in similar cir
curstances to Others
II therefore respectfully suggest. Mr.
President, that your appointment of
these officers about whom there is no
discussion should be at once renewed
in order that they may at once secure
bill to which they are entitled and with
out creating confusion. Very respect
fully. 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 published to-
day, and make recess appointments of
officers who failed of confirmation at
the last session of Congress. The mat
ter will be allowed to remain just as
it stands until the next Congress meets
and then all Of the names will be sent
in precisely as they stood at the last
session.