The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-08
WEDNESDAY. MARCH s. 1900.
VERY FAD. VIZ. sEcHErAEY.

Now comes the Secretary Of the Navy
with a rejoinder to Admiral Schley's de-
fence Of himself that the Navy Depart
ment had granted him permission to
make. and aperusal Of 1t places the Sec
rotary Of the Navy in very unenvabie
light and strongly confirms the suspicion
that has taken hold of the public
mind that the bottom of this
whole business Is purpose 10
advantage Sampson, favorite, at
the expense Of Schley, most worthy
officer who does not happen to be Ia
vorite. The Times readers will recOl-
lect that at the beginning OF this SQUAD
bic The Times deplOred it ana did all in
its power to have it stopped. The Times
had no idea then that there was any
plot againt Schley. But the develop
ments Of the case have made il very
clear to us that Schley is not being dealt
with fairly. aud, that being so, we shall
speak our mind out upon all proper oc-
casions IN the interests Of justice and in
the hope that We may contribute some
thing towards securing for Schley his
deserts.
II must strike everyone who reads
Secretary Longs present IeiOinder as
most remarkable fact that be says after
ascertalning all the facts and circum-
stances of the case and feeling sure he
knew everything that was to be known,
he recommended TO the President to APP
point both Schley and Sampson rear ad
mirals One would naturally have sup
posed that il ne made this recommends
ton after feeling sure he knew every
thing. that he would have left every
thing back Of the appointment alone.
There might have been incidents in
Schley's course that his judgment did
not altogether approve OF. bat il, after
weighing everything carefully and de-
liberately he came TO the conclusion
that on the whole Schley deserved so
we'll Of his country than DE should be
promoted TO the high Office Of rear adj
miral, one would naturally suppose that
the Secretary would say nothing more
about the incidents that he did not alto
gether approve Of But here We find
him telling the Senate Committee that
after informing himself thoroughly OF
every phase Of the ease he recommend
ed that The President should appoint
Schley rear admiral and In the next
breath arguing with AL his might TO
show that Schley's conduct was most
'.reprehensible" ia the Santiago cam
paign. This Inconsistency Il so glazing
that &c cannot be passed over as an ac-
cident. II has every ear.malk and in
dicia Of the actions OF a man who was
driven By Schlcy's popularity 10 pro-
mote him, but who hope d 10 make his
promotion OF as little value 10 him a. il
might be II Schlcy ought 10 have heen
promoted rear admiral for his conduct
ia the Santiago campaign 10 does not
become the Navy Department to be
Iaking over bis record for mad TO throw
AT him The good name Of the depart
ment Is bound up In hi, good name, and
instead Of attempting TO detract from
him. it, best efforts should be used 10
bolster him up and put the best possible
APPEARANCE on any seeming delinquency
which other splendid conduct Of his had
induced it 10 overlook. We do not be-
Iieye THAI Schley WAS guilty of any rep
rehenslble conduct" az all. We think
all OF his actions were dictated By pru-
denee aud good Judgment. But II il
were otherwise It Is not for the Navy
Department that promotes him TO be
expo ling the dellnquencies that it has
condoned
--e