Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-12
REAR ADMIRAL AND REAR HERO.

Through what chicane. intrigue, ly-
ing. SANDER and abuse Of power official
favoritism contrived or insolently dared
to degrade Commodore" w. s. Schley
to subordinate position in the Ameri-
can fleet sent against the Spanish in
Cuban waters, and to promote cap
tain" w. I. Sampson to the command
or that fleet, we may never know in
full; but enough has been revealed Of
the official, personal and other anlmus
against Schley and its methods, as we'll
as of the official modes in the depart
ment of making heroes out Of nobodies,
to make the people of this Republic
deeply Interested in the similar case Of
Dreyfus under the French Republic,
where malignant animosity and official
conspiracy have been caught In the act
of perpetrating inconceivable and In
credible yillainies.
Notwithstanding the puslllanimous
and Infamous conduct Of Sampson in
connection with the sinking of Cerve-
ra's Spanish fleet off Santiago on the
Srd Of July; announcing 1t officially to
government and to the world as exclu-
sively his victory, which he presented
to the country as Fourth of July gift
from Understanding no reference nor
allusion. by name or otherwise, to the
hero who did win the battle, nor to
anyone but himself, who was not "in
Notwithstanding this "a shameful
and selfish false pretence on which he
should have been expelled with igno-
miny from the navy, the President
and administration, well-knowing the
facts, emulated SIMPSONS 4th Of July
infamy by sending his name to the
Senate for promotion eight numbers in
the line of rank, and to be made Rear
Admiral for eminent and conspicuous
conduct in the battle" OF Santiago
from which, really, he was absent, pre-
sumably in pursuit of spoils by making
prize of Spanish transports and other
unarmed vessels along the Cuban coast.
The Senate. however, declined to con-
firm the unjust and injurious promo
ton Injurious to others) and also the
equally unjust and injurious terms in
which it was recommended. Yet these
terms disclose the administrative collu-
sion with and active particlpa ton in
the base plot to advance Sampson at
the expense of Schley. as had already
been done in placing Captain" Samp-
son. in command Of the fleet which
ndn
OF war. precedence and right, should
have had. We are glad. however, that
Sampson and his co-adjutors are baf-
fled by the decision of Comptroller
Mitchell. to whom was referred Samp-
sons prompt application for pay due
the rank to which he had been recon-
mended.-the Comptroller deciding, in
effect. that the attempted promotion
had fallen in consequence Of the failure
of the Senate to confirm It. What
ground was there in SIMPSONS connec-
ton with the victory for his promotion.
especially FOR eminent and conspicu-
Gus conduct in battle?" He was many
miles away with his flagship and an
other, when the battle began,-gone I'D
the coast in search of unarmed craft
available for prize money From this
sordid and venal hunt. he was per-
emtorily called by the sounds OF strife
between the contending fleets, but be-
fore his arrival. to take part as fighter
or commander. it was all over, though
ne did at once assume to receive all the
surrenders and prizes and grasp all
the honors won by Schley and others as
his own. This mean assumption he fur
Their Illustrated by his telegram an
ncuncing the victory. presenting it to
the country Is his 4th of July gift TO
the American people, ignoring Schley
and everybody else. while he conspic
ucusly thrust himself forward as the
"conquering hero" alone entitled to any
honor or glory.
Shame. Shame on him. Shame on all
his official and other accomplices,
Long, Secretary of the Navy. ought TO
claim all the honor and glory himself.
especially as he Is in plot to deprive
Schley of them. or his chief part in
them. But the people are not deceiv-
cd; they know an eagle from a buzz
Zard.
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THE LOBBY INDECENT