Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-01-24
SAMPSON AND scHLeY.
Warm Discussion in Executive Session Over
Their Promotion for Gallant Services.

w jan. ZJ.-lnc executive
session of the Senate, today. was de.
voted wholly TO the promotion of Ad-
mrals Sampson and Schley and other
naval officers engaged in the Santiago
campaign over the heads of officers who
were their superors in rank. The con-
troversy was then postponed for 20
days. after a vote had been taken to
call for the records of the navy de-
partment bearing upon the cOnduct'Of
all affected by the advancement. The
discussion arose over the resolution of
which Senator Butler was the author,
calling for these documents. AS orig
inally offered. it asked for the reasons
for the advancement, the resolution
was modified so as to require the rec
ord only. The first vote was on a mo-
ton made by Senator Hale to lay the
resolution on the table and on this tn.
ayes and noes were taken. resulting:
Aye. Il; No, 81. The resolution was
then allowed to pass without further
discussion.
For three hours previous to this.
however, the Senate had been engaged
in a very animated verbal battle which
involved many intricacies and was par
ticipated in by large number of sem
dloIS. 1Hc main CoHleStS were IlTSI
over the general policy of promoting
these officers over others who We're
characterized as quite as deserving.
though less fortunate in that they were
deprived of such a participation in the
war. and second, as to the relative mer-
its of Sampson and Schley.
Senators German and Wellington of
Maryland. one a Republican and the
other a Democrat, united in a fierce
attack upon the navy department for
favoring Sampson over Schley. while
Senators Lindsay. Pettigrew, Perkins
and Money ATTACKED the whole system
of promotion AS "a species of favorit-
ism which was not warranted by the
facts" The method of the administra-
ton was defended by Senators Chand-
Ter and Lodge. Senator Wellington
was especially Jealous in his advocacy
of the claims of admiral Schley and In
his presentation of reasons why Ad-
miral Sampson should not be preferred
over him. and both he and Mr.. German
stated that if the official papers were
ordered. they would demonstrate be-
yond possible question the fact that
Schley and not Sampson fought the
battle of Santiago.
They cOntended that with Sampson
10 miles away he could not be accredit-
ed constructively with having conn
manding the fleet on the day when the
Spanish vessels were sent TO the bot
tom. On the contrary they held that
Schley was on the ground, he was the
senior officer. and that he was engaged
most effectively in the conflict. all the
world knew. regardless of the favors
of the government at Washington.
Senator Lindsay found much in the
promotion of both Schley and Sampson
over Commodore Watson to condemn.
He praised Watson as man who
would undoubtedly have made a fine
record in the war if given the Oppor-
tunity he should have as u senior Off.
GER, and said to deprive him Of his
rightful rank because other men were
pressed to the front and given the posts
Of honor was in every way unfair and
Of great country.
Senators Perkins. Platt Of COnnecti-
cut. and Pettigrew also criticised the
system as one liable to result in un.
fairness unless very cautiously entered
upon urging that at any rate the Sem
ate should have a record before II. that
It might decide for itself as to the mer.
its of the men SO before it. that It
might decide for itself as to the merits
Of the men so signally favored. COM
pared with those who had received
1one Of the loaves and fishes.
Senators Hale and Chandler both
members of the naval committee. de-
Tended the action of the navy depart
nent in giving preference to the men
Who took upon themselves the brunt OF
The battle in Atlantic waters and in
oreferring the man who was in COM
uand Of the fleet. They deprecated the
,pening up of controversy which
Continued on page 2.)