The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-03-29
SAMPSON 70 TIE PRESIDENT
Reouests That tho Promotions OF His
O1icers, Which the Senate Failed
to Confirm, Be Renewed.
HE WANTS HIS NAME LEFT OUT.
Tho Rea.-Admiral Does Not Want to Stand u
the Way Of tho Promotion Of Others.

Tho Rsa.-Admiral Does Not Want to Stand u
the Way of the Promotion Of Others
WASHINGTON, D. G. (speclaD.-Secretary
Long has received from Rear-Admtral
Sampson letter directed tc the President
In which the. Admiral, after referring to
the allegations that the list OF officers
recommended for promotion for gallantry
off Santiago had failed OF confirmation be-
cause 1t included his name, asks the Presl-
dent to again Immediately nominate these
officers for promotion. The text or Rear
Admiral SIMPSONS letter is as follows:
US. Flagship New York, First Rate.
HAVANA, Cuba, March 9, 1899.
sir-I respectfully ask your attention to
the facts contained In this letter, apd that
It may be officially filed as part OF my rec
ord In the United States Navy.
When the late war was threatening,
was placed In command OF the North At
lantic fleet, and, after tho declaration OF
war, was appointed by the President Rear
Admiral and confirmed In my command,
This duty and responsibility came. to me
entirely uusoughtS nor had any especial
wish for 1t, though recognizing the great
honor then conferred upon me. My sole
aim was to achieve success; to blockade
Cuba, destroy Cervera's heet, and to main
tain an efficient war feet.
It Is not necessary to dwell upon the In
cidents OF the war, which are all now we'll
known. Based upon these incidents GER
tain officers, distinguished for faithful SER
vice, were named by me, In the exercise OF
my natural duty as Commander.in- Chief,
for promotion or such other reward as you,
Sir, might deem desirable. Those names
hoy, haa MI RI
Uni:ed States Senate for promotion, and
you have done me the honor to add my
name to that list Of officers.
It now appears that the SENATE, though
we'll disposed to most OF the names on that
list, has, for reasons not necessary to be
here discussed, objected to my promotion,
and has similarly failed to confirm the de.
serving officers about whose merits there
has been no doubt or discussion.
any eager desire for advancement, or any
other form OF reward for doing my duty, [
have not specially concerned myself with
matters outside OF that duty. I 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 7 was aLle, and II no reward should
come, I could be satisfied with the
consciousness Of having done my best. ]
did not, however, anticipate that dissatls-
faction 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 circumstances to others.
I therefore respectfully suggest, Mr.
President, that your appointment OF these
officers about whom there Is no discussion
should at once be renewed, in order that
they may thus secure their promotions un.
der the Personnel bill, to which they are
entitled, and without creating confusion
Very respectfully, W. L. SAMPSON.
The President OF the United States OIL
America, through the Secretary OF the
Nayy