New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-24
NAVAL PROMOTION SYSTEM.
BITTER CONTEST OVER THE CASES OF
SAMPSON AND SCHLEY.
THE DEPARTMENTS POLICY ATTACKED
AND DEFENDED IN EXECUTIVE SEES
SION OF THE sENATE-REc-
ORDs CALLED FOR.

ORDs CALLED FOR.
Washington. Ian. 23-The executive session
OF the Senate to-day was devoted wholly TO the
discussion OF the promotion Of Admirals Samp-
son and schley and other naval officers en-
gagged In the Santiago campaign over the heads
Of officers who were their superiors IN rahh'
The controversy postponed for twenty days
after vote had been taken TO call for the
records OF the Navy Department bearing on
the conduct OF all affected by the advance
nent
The discussion arose over a resolution OF which
Senator Butler is the author. calling for these
documents AS originally offered 1t asked TOT
the reasons for the advancement but the reso-
luton was modified as TO request the RECORDS
only. The first vote on a motion made by
Senator Hale 70 lay the resolution on the table
and on this the ayes and noes were taken re-
sulting Il to 35. The resolution was then al
lowed to pass without further division
For three hours before this, however the
Senate had been engaged in an animated verbal
battle. which involved many intricacies and
in which a large number Of Senators took part.
The principal contests were over the general
policy Of promoting these officers over others
who we're characterized quite as deserving
though less fortunate. In that they were deprived
Of such active participation in the war and as
TO the relative merits OF Sampson and Schley.
CHARGES OF FAvoRITIsM MADE
Senators German and Wellington, OF Mary
land one a Republican and the other Demo-
crat united IN fierce attack on the Navy De-
partn1ent for favorng Sampson over Schey'
while Senators Lindsay, Pettigrew, Perkins and
Money attacked the whole system Of promotion
as "a species Of tavoritism which was not war
rarted by the facts" The method Of the Ad-
rninistration was defended by Messrs. Haze
Chandler and Lodge Senator Wellington was
especially jealous in his advocacy Of the claims
Of Admiral Schley. and in his presentation o.
r,asons why Admiral Sampson should not oe
preferred over him. and both he and his Demo
cratic colleague Mr.. German, made the state
rnent that II the official Papers were ordered
they would demonstrate beyond any possible
doubt the fact that schley, and not Sampson.
fought the battle off Santiago. They contended
that with Sampson ten railes away he could
not be accredited constructively with having
command Of the feet on the memorable day
when the spanish vessels were sent 70 the bot
tom. On the contrary they held that Schley
was on the ground he was the senior officer, ana
that he was engaged actively and most ef-
fectively in the conflict all the world knew. re-
eardless Of the favors 81 the Government al
Washington.
Senator Lindsey found much in the promotion
OF both Schley and Sampson over Commodore
Watson 70 condemn He took occasion 10 praise
Watson as 2 man who would undoubtedly nave
made nne record IN the war II the opportunity
he should have had senior officer hao oeen
given 70 him and said that 70 deprive MIN OF
his rightful rank because other men were
pressed 70 the front and put in the posts OF
honor was In every way unfair and unworthy
OF a great country. Senator Perkins, senator
Platt Of Connecticut, and Senator Pettisre"
also criticised the system as one likely 70 re-
sul, IN unfairness unless cautiously entered
upon. arguing that at any rate the senate
should have the records before It that II might
decide for itself as 70 the merits OF the men so
signally favored compared with those who had
received none OF the loaves and fishes
THE DEPARTMENT DEFENDED.
Senators Hale and Chandler. both members
o, the Naval Committee defended the action OF
the Navy Department in giving preference 10
the men who took upon themselves the brunt
OF the battle al Santiago and in prefer7ing the
man who was in command OF the feet. They
deprecated the opening Of a controversy which
Senator Chandler said might lead TO condi-
ton AZ unsavory as that which the War In
vestigating Commission had developed In con-
nection with the Army beef contracts. Senator
Lodge Joined in deploring this policy, and,
owing 10 the fact that he had recently in pr-
vate researches made an exhaustive nvestiga-
ton he was enabled 10 throw much light on
the controversy in behalf Of the contention that
the matter should not be stirred W.
In the presentation o. this side much was
said in UNFOLDING the claims OF samos1 In
preference to those Of schley. and the friends Of
the latter officer were told that II they insisted
on pressing the investigation too closely some
facts would be developed that would not he
agreeable TO them. The charge was made that
schley had voluntarily left Santiago after
reaching the vicinity Of that port. and after
CArvera had entered the harbor. and also that
when the Spanish feet had sailed out through
the narrow mouth OF the channel Admiral (then
Commodore Schley had made reverse move
rnent with the Brooklyn and gone in a direction
opposite 70 that taken by the Spanish squad
ron instead Of boldly attacking the enemy IN
the beginning. II was asserted that these facts
were among those which the archives would
reveal.
The friends Of Admiral schley declared that
they had nothing TO fear from having all the
facts known. Explaining his start 70 leave San
tiago and his refusal 70 obey Department orders
before Simpsons arrival. they said that II was
because ne had been unable 70 coal al sea When
they we're asked how II had happened that the
ships had been able 70 coal thirty-six hours
afterward. they replied that this was due 70 the
fact that storm had given place TO calm.
Senators Lindsay ana f'ettlere", VINO were not
arguing for either Sampson or Schley. made the
point that these developments had merely en-
phas!zed the reasons why the Senate should be
put into possession OF all the facts before voting
II am not the champion OF either OF these Of
ncers" said MI Pettgrew. "and IL Schley ran
away from the enemy showed a disposition TO
do so. want 70 know IT,
ACTION POSTPONED.
After the decision 20 send for the records was
arrived at there a general understanding
that the whole matter should be postponed Ions
enough 10 permit action by both houses on the
Naval Committees bill providing that these pro
motions Shall not interfere with the promotion
% officers otherwise entitled 10 promotion" The
later effort OF the Senate in open session TO