The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-01
Promotions of Both Officers Hung
Up In Senate.
ATTACK UPON SAMPSON
CHARGED WITH SHABBY COM
DUCT TOWARD SCHLEY.
Alleged BY Senator'S That Sampson
Was Responsible For the Delay
at Cienfuegos and That He Tried
to Shift esponsibility to Schley-
Order Was Suppressed.

Washington. Feb. 2S.-Another I'M
successful effort was made in the ex-
ecutive session of the senate to con-
firm the nominations advancing Ad-
miraTs Sampson and Schley and other
officers who participated in the San
tiago campaign This result was due
to the objection of Senators Butler,
Pettigrew and Stewart, who talked
through the executive session, thus
preventing the taking of a vote.
Senator Butler made the principal
Epeech of the session. He based his OBJ
je ction to the advancement of Admiral
Sa mpson upon the revelations of the
published record of the two officers,
referring with especial emphasis to the
fact that Admiral Sampson had him.
self been responsible for Admiral
Schley's remaining at Cienfuegos. Mr..
Butler charged that the diSpatch-mak-
ing this order had been suppressed,
and he asserted that it must have been
concealed in SIMPSONS behalf. At any
rate, the conduct OF Sampson in giving
the order and then holding Schley re-
sponsible for the delay was conduct
unworthy of any man and unbecoming
an officer, and MI Butler said he could
never give his assent to the conffrma-
ton OF the nomination of any man
guilty of such treatment Of a subordi-
nate.
The presentation of this point led to
a. controversy as to whether Sampson
had ever issued the order. Senator For
aker appeared especially anxious to Sc
cure confirmation or denial of this &C
cusation, indicating his opposition if
il was based upon correct information.
He wanted to know why, if such an
order had been issued. ii had not been
jncluded in the record of the two Off
GERS sect to the senate by the secre-
tary OF the navy
To this. friends of Sampson replied
that il. was TO be presumed that it
would have been If such an order had
ever been issued. Especially must this
be true. in view of the fact that Ad-
1niraI Schley's flag officer, lieutenant
Sears. had been member of the board
which had compiled the information
supplied to the senate 1t was not TO
be presumed, they said. that any in
formation in the interest Of his chief
would be suppressed by Mr.. Sears.
Senator Pettigrew quoted the closing
naragraph of Admiral Schley's state
ment and said: mo one can get around
that logic. This matter is of record, il
the other is not. and enough is known
to show the unfairness of Sampson,
without regard to the other matter at
all"
Senator German made an appeal for
action. and in this was Joined by Sena-
tor Wellington. Both spoke as the
friends of Schley. Mr.. German said
that he agreed with those who claimed
that there had been unfair discrimina-
ton against Schley, but he said that
he wanted him confirmed, and he saw
no means of protecting him without
also advancing Sampson.
Let us confirm Schley and leave
Sampson Enacted upon,' suggested
Senator Pettigrew.
THAT cannot be DONE" responded
Mr. Hale.
1T can be if we want to do it, said
MIR. Pettigrew. But the suggestion was
not accepted. and the executive ses-
sion closed without action.