The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-10
A Naval Academy Scandal.
The Superintendent, Charged
With Unfalrness to a South
Carolina Cadet.

Washington. Jan 4 congressman
Latimer of South Carolina, was the
central figure Of sensational scene
at the Office Of the secretary of the
navy today. This was the second
chapter of sensation brought on by
the unjust treatment at Annapolis of
South Carolina boy, who is a cadet,
the inspiration of this treatment
being Admiral McNair, the head the
Naval Academy The result of it all
is an investigation into the conduct
of the old admiral by the secretary
of the navy and there can be no
doubt of the reinstatement of the
cadet he is Cadet Maxwell, of An
desson Maxwell was. in the slang
of the academy, sent to conventry
by his class because OF alleged I'm
pIicat;on in some disgracefal pro-
ceedings that figured during the
Christmas jollities at Annapolis.
When the matter was first before
the class the action was favorable to
Maxwell, but there was suhsequen:
meeting at which Maxwell was de-
cided against
When toe boy got into the trouble
be telegraphed his father to come on
His father asked Congressman
Lstimer. who appointed young Max
we'll to investigate and, accordingly,
Congressman Latlme7 went over tnere
yesterday ID the course OF his IN
ves.iga1ion he found that the action
Of the class lad undoubtedly been IN.
sp;red by the Admiral. lie asked
NcNa;r about the case and the old
admiral denied any knowledge OF it
When he discovered what he had
reason to believe the truth Congress
man La,imer was very mad and
charged McNair with lying to him.
This brough: on a sensational scene,
the upshos Of which was an apology
from .icNair and the promise that
the wrong that had been done the
boy should be righted The cen
gresham made it plain that be would
not rpho:d the boy # ne was in the
wcoag bot be proposed TO have tais
play
Today the scene OF action was
transferred to Washington One OF
.sicNair'e aides came 10 Latlmer, beg
giug hin cot to make any charges
against the admiral, and he agreed
that he would pos # there was lei!
separation made the w:cnged cadet
Later, however, the secretary oi
the Navy tcok I'd the matter and se1s
for Admiral NcNa,r, wco was here.
TIE secretary had tried &c get Latl
ne- to prefer charges. but the Latter
said he did 20; went to give the Old
man trouble and that be did not COZ
s;dar that AicNair vas altogether
responsible for bis conduct yester-
day When the admiral aad Lasimer
met face to face, tie secretary having
in the meantime talked vita the adul.
va, the iatter was enraged beyond meas
nre You have charged that / vas
drunk. be cried out 20 the congress.
man "you lie I" With that La,imer
jumped up and was aoout 10 strike
the admiral, when the later apo'oelzed
mos, abjec;!y, taking back ali .ct1en-
sive words He was evidently labor
ipg under intense ezc;temes. Ace:
awnile. hcweye., be quieted dozn,
and the mater .as LEI, oy the secse-
tary wi:h the understanding that
McNair is 70 Investigate the Maxwell
case thoroughly and make proper
amends If any wrong has been done
the cadet THE, Mr.. i4atimer insists.
mast come in the shape Of puaiic
apology BY ,lc.1al: to the boy before
the class.
is highly probable tha: their vii!
be official Investigation into McNsirs $
conduct. a',hougn there is general
disposition ou ,ae part Of ali concern
ed to ie, him Off as lightly as possible
because OF his age and the fact that
Sc Will retire within year Il u.
L. in News and Courier
rsiIiions Given Away.