The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-14

WASHINGTON. March la.-Seeretarv
Long has received letter from Rear
Admiral Sampson In which the admiral.
after referring to the allegations that the
list OF officers recommended for promo
ton for gailaniry OF Santiago had failed
OF confirmation because II included his
name, asks the secretary TO Immediately
reappoinf these officers. emitting his own
name
The text OF Rear Admiral Sampson's let
ter 10 a. follows.
III 8. F7Agship New York.
Havana Cuba, Aarcs, 9. 1855
Bit respectfully ask your attention
70 the facts contained in this letter AMI
that II may BE officially hied AZ part "
my record In the United States navy.
When the late war WAS threatened. I
was placed ia command OF the North At
iznftc fleet. and after the declaration of
war WAS appointed BY the president
rear admiral and confirmed in my COM
mand.
This duty and responsibility came to
me entirely unsought. nor had any
especial wish for IL, though recognizing
the great honor then conferred upon me-
Ny sole aim was TO achieve success,
TO blockade Cuba destroy CerSera ;
fleet and 10 maintain an efficient war
feet
at is not necessary to dwell upon the
incidents Of the war. which are all now
well known. Based upon these Incidents,
certain officers, distinguished for faithful
services. were named by me, in the exer-
else OF my natural duties as commander.
in-chief for promotion or sach other re-
ward as You. sir. might deem desirable.
Those names you have been pleased 10
nominate 10 the United states senate Tor
promotion, and you have done me the
honor 10 admit my name to that iist OF
officers.
II now appears that the senate. though
well disposed 10 the most OF the names on
that list has for reasons not necessary
to be here discussed objected TO my pro-
motion. and has similarly failed 10 confirm
the deserving officers about whose merits
there has been no doubt or discussion.
Hitherto. Mr.. President. undisturoed ~
any eager desire for advancement or any
other form of reward for doing my duty.
the conduct of the West Indian naval
campaign 10 the utmost OF my ability as
thoroughly as I was able. AMI Y no re-
ward should come could be satisfied with
the consciousness of having done nsy best.
did not. however anticipate that dissat-
isfacfion with any act or acts OF mile
would cause the senate TO withhold from
other officers promotion which they have
we'll deserved and which has been prompt
Iy granted In similar circumstances to
others.
II therefore respectfully suggest. Mr..
President. that your appointment OF these
officers. about whom there Is no discns-
sion. should at once be renewed, in order
that they may at once secure their pro.
motions under the personnel bill. to which
they are entitled and without crsating
confusion. Very respectfully.
''w, +. SAMPSON.
1.-THE president OF the United States.
through the secretary Of the navy"
Secretary Long will not accept the sug-
gestfon made by Rear Admiral Sampson
in his letter and make recess appoint
ments Of officers who failed OF confirma-
ton at the last session OF congress.
The matter will be allowed to remain
just an it stands until the next congress
meets and then all OF the nominations will
be sent In precisely as they stood at the
end of the last session.