The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-04-24
Sampson and Schlcy.

The long feud between Rear-Admlrai
William T. Sampson and Rear-Admirai
Winfield Scott Schley and their TRENDS
is officially ended. Schley is the victor.
Since the destruction OF the Spanish
fleet at Santiago, July 3, 1898, it has
divided the United states Navy, stirred
the whole country and even become
national political question. 1t has in
truded itself into the social, political ana
Official life of Washington, forming pit
ter factions wherever it showed ltse-f-
Intrigue OF a remarkable kind charac-
terized every new move MADE by the
leaders of the fight.
On one side, SIMPSONS, was actively
ranged the whole force of the adminlstra-
ton, from President Mckinley and Sec
rotary of the Navy Long, down through
the whole personnel of the navy. Against
these were ranged men OF political and
personal prominence; men shreWd. per-
sistent, powerful through their connec-5
lions. skillful as diplomatists, and above
all else. fighters.
These men finally, by one masterful
stroke. convinced the administration, the
President, the Secretary Of the Navy and
the army Of lesser officials. that Rear
Admiral Schley could not be further OPP
posed-oppressed, Schley's friends put
it-without imperillng McKinleys re-
election. The administration yielded.
Schley will rank Sampson in the list
of Rear-Admirals, and in few months
will be second only to George Dewey In
the United States Navy.
For eighteen months Schley's adherents
kept on the defensive. Finding that the
attacks from the administrations
quarters continued. they decided to
change their tactics and assume the aS-
gressive.
In making this change warfare dra-
matte, unique. and successful was in
-o1;, N
fisher of the Baltimore American, is
the leader of the Schley forces Rear
Admiral Crowninshield, Chief of the
Bureau OF Navigation of the Navy De-
partment. has been credited with partial
leadership Of the forces opposed to
Schley.
General Agnus had an eight-page
special supplement prepared for his
newspaper, the leading Republican organ
of Maryland and largely read in Wash
ington. The SUPPLEMENT dealt wholly
with the Schey-Sampson feud. In detail
it exploited the causes of the admins
tration's animosity for Schley 1t con-
tanned two striking exposures.
One was a direct charge against Rear
Admiral Sampson of countenancing
irregular accounts in 1891, while Superin-
tendent of the Naval Academy at An
napolis. The lother dealt with Rear
Admiral Crowninshed, showing that in
1896 Rear-Admiral Sehley had recon-
mended that he be court-martialled for
incompetency in equpping the ship then
under his command
General Agnus gathered official docu-
ments to corroborate his charges against
Admirals Sampson and Crowinshield. the
chief foes of Schley. A single copy of the
eisht-page supplement was printed: then
the plates were removed from the press
and locked up for future use if needed
This single copy was taken to Washing
ton by General Agnus and a Republican
Senator and-the World is informed
placed upon the desk Of President Nc
Knley. General Agrlus admits the use
made of the supplement, but denies that
President Mckinley personally was
threatened. He says an administration
leader was shown the paper and told
that unless the attacks upon Schey
ceased and the promotion to which he
was entitled under the naval personnel
bill was accorded him, one million copies
of the eight-page supplement would be
printed and distributed.
The man who spoke to the President
is a Republican. He told the President
that the circulation of the eight-page
Schley-San1pson supplement would surely
make Maryland Democratic next fall.
The result was a change of front on
the part Of the administration toward
Schley All attacks upon him ceased
duced in Congress antagonistic to Schley
and beneficial to Sampson We're aban-
doned Steps were taken to revive the
personnel bill and pave the way for the
promotion of Schley.
Since the "ultimatum'' the plates of the
eight-page supplement have not again
been placed on the presses of the Balti-
more American The edition that accom-
plished such wonderful results is still
limited to one copy, but the plates are
held in readiness.
If Secretary Long is nomirated fer the
Vice-Presidency the plates may possibly
be used in spite Of Secretary Longs
stainless and brilliant personal record
at the head of the Navy Department.
The leaders Of the Schley forces dis
like Secretary Long, because he permitted
the department enemies of Schley to per-
sist in their attacks No charges how
ever, are against Mr.. Long personally
New York World.