The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-04


Sampson the honors of Santiago is strug-
gle Of the Navigation Bureau TO keep its
hold on the naval establishment b. secur
ing promotion and power to its favorites
and by using the executive control OF Con-
gress to prevent the investigation which
would disclose its secret sins and iniquities
to the country But Mr.. Mckinley wants
peace. He wants TO prevent, ii he can,
stirring-up of the departmental scandals
which a Congressional investigation OF
Long and Crowninshield would involve
and he would like. perhaps, to placate the
outside friends of Sampson who are the in
fuential enemies of Schley and who care
nothing about the merits of the Santiago
matter, except that they want to see re-
wardcd one who has always been valuable
individuality for certain interests to have
potent in the department. and procure the
punishment of another officer who has
made an unfortunate record as man who
cannot be tempted into doing or permitting
things obnoxious to the law, honor, or the
good of the service
So, while regretting the necessity, it
may be that the President has allowed him
self TO take the view that the largest lati-
tude should be permitted in stretching the
law, so as to make it seem that Sampson
was legally in command of the North At
lantic Squadron at the time of the Santiago
battle-which. VIGOROUSLY. he was not-and
to wink at stretching the facts by about
the measure OF twenty miles or so to make
it appear that Sampson was near enough
10 the fight to squeeze him into considera-
lion in connection with It, If not in the
sense of being personally within sound OF
Schley's guns, still near enough to give
him a status before the Court Of Claims
sufficient to found claim for the lions
share of the prize money
1t should always be remembered that the
amiable idea of our present worthy Presi-
dent is to give general satisfaction and to
please everybody. We have no right to
quarrel with such a characteristic which
beyond doubt is the result Of noble i'm
pulses and some OF the incest emotions of
which our fallen nature is capable. At the
same time il is possible to think that Mr..
Mckinley is to an extent i'll advised where
he permits himself to be convinced that the
American people will be willing to condone
such a shocking outrage upon justice. de-
cency. and the Navy as would be commit
ted in giving hero honors TO Sampson, even
though the victor OF Santiago were at the
same time given minor laurels to make the
main object successful.
1t is barely possible that there may be
ostensible friends OF Rear Admiral Schley
iu the Senate. who would consent to his ac-
ceptiug the vice admiralty leavings OF the
discredted creature whose only achieve
ment in war was the destruction OF a
mule. They may take the view that as
justice cannot be expected from the present
Administration, it might be well to take
what can be gotten. But The Times is far
from locking at the matter in that way.
This journal insists, as it always has in
sisted, that it would be far better TO leave
matters as they stand than to make trade
with infamy. Either Rear Admiral Schley
Is entitled to all the honors of Santiago or
he is entitled to none. II there is the re-
hottest credit due TO the captain who. in
utter defiance Of the plain letter of the law,
It was attempted to foist into command
over the North Atlantic Squadron. there is
not any due TO his superior. the officer who
WAS in legal command all the time and be-
yond any possible question was in actual
command on the day Of Cervera's defeat
Ar. H0ar is understood to have shown
irritation in the Senate yesterday, be-
cause as he seemed to believe, there is
desire to withhold from senator's informa-
tiou concerning the horrible" situation
in the Philippines. Mr.. Hoar Is entirely
wrong. The full information necessary to
a complete understanding of the horrible
situation has rot yet arrived from Manila.
Il is coming by mail. When it reaches
here and is published, we fancy that the
senior Senator from Massachusetts, will find
Il only too ample, if not positively painful.
As might have been anticipated. resolu-
.ions Of enquiry regarding the Treasury
scandal we're introduced in the Senate and
House yesterday In the latter it is quite
possibla that the matter may be entirely
suppressed. but in the Senate it will be
different II will be extremely edifying to
stud. the course OF the Administration in
this connection. A remarkably fine lot of
political strategy will be required 10 keep
the affair from becoming most dangerous
menace TO the Republican party between
now and next November. 1t is of too
ugly and obvious nature to ignore alto
gether. In the end probably Gage will be
made a scapegoat: but who is there to
break the news to him now that Mr.
Hobart is no more?
The Administration press is responsible |
for the story that Colonel DENLY is to
be sent back to Manila TO participate in
the establishment of civil governments in
the Philippine Islands This may be true
and II SO. it should not surprise anybody
to see Otis promoted. Eagan restored to
duty. and made 4 major general. and Al
ger back in the Cabinet. Mr.. Mckinley is
having hard luck with his private advisers,
Senator McMillan's bill to grant the |
power of comforting academic degrees
upon the Regents OF the Smithsonian In
stitution, is a distinct and practical move
ment in the direction OF associating the |
educational and scientific institutions OF |
Washington for the purpose OF ultimately |
forming a United States University. We |
are glad to see the first step made. The |
ultimate object may be hard to attain, but |
IL is not impossible OF attainment.
We sincerely trust that the bold cham
pions Of anti-impcria sm in the Senate |
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