Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-14
ADM SAMPSON
Suggests That His Name Be Omitted
from the List To Be Promoted IN
the Interest of Harmony.

Washington, March 13.-Secretary
Long has received letter from Rear
Admiral Sampson in which the adj
miral, after referring to the allega-
lions that list of officers recommend
ed for promotion for gallantry of
Santiago had failed of confirmation
because 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:
"U. S. Flagship New York, First
Rate, Havana, Cuba, March 8, 1899.
Sir: | 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 threatening
was placed in command of the North
Atlantic fleet, and later the declaration
of war; was appointed by the President
a Rear Admiral, and confirmed in my
command.
This duty and responsibility came to
me entirely unsought, nor had | any
especial 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 we'll known. Based upon these in
cidents certain officers distinguished for
faithful service were named by me, in
the exercise of my natural duty as COM
manderin-chief, for promotion or such
other reward as you, sir, might deem
desirable. Those names you have been
pleased to nominate in the United
States Senate for promotion and you
have done me the honor to add my
name to that list of officers.
1T 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 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, / have not specially concerned my
self with matters outside of that duty.
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 1 was able, and
if no reward should come, l could be sat
isfied with the consciousness of having
done my best I did not, however, antici-
pate that dissatisfaction with any act or
acts of mine would cause the Senate to
withhold from other officers which they
have well deserved, and which has been
promptly granted in similar circumstances
to others.
IT 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 thus secure their promo
lions under the personnel bill to which
they are entitled, and without creating
confusion.
- every respectfully,
wv I. SAMPSON.
1.-THE President of the United States of
America, through the Secretary Of the
Navy"
Secretary Long will not accept the sug-
gestion made by Rear Admiral Sampson
in his letter published to-day and make
recess appointments of the afficers who
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 nom
nations will be sent precisely as they
stood at the end of the last session.