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

Washington. Jan 4 -Congressmau
Lssimer of South Carolina. was the
central figure Of Q sensational scene
at the Office Of the secretary of the
navy today. This was the second
ohspter Of . sensation brought on by
the unjust treatment at Annapolis oi
. South Carolina boy, who is cadet.
the inspiration Of this trestmen,
being Admiral McNair. the head the
Naval Academy. The resul. of il oil
10 On investigation into the oonduc,
Of the old admiral by the secretary
Of the navy aud there can be no
doubt Of the reinstatement Of the
cadet He is Cadet Maxwell, Of An
derson Maxwell was. in the slang
Of the academy, sent to conventry
by his class because OF alleged i'm
plication in some disgraceful pro.
oeedings that figured during the
Christmas jollities ct Annapolis.
When the matter was first before
the olass the action was favorable to
Maxwell, but there was subseo ue IT
meeting at which Maxwell was de.
oided sesiust
When the boy got into the trouble
he telegrsphed his father to come on
HE father asked Congressman
Latimer. who appointed young Max
we'll to investigate and, accordingly, (,
Congressman Lstimer went over there
yesterday In the course of his in
vestigation he found that the action
Of the class had undoubtedly been in.
spired by tue Admiral. He asked
NcNsir 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 Latimer was very mad and
charged McNair with lying to him.
This brough. on a sensational scene,
the apshot Of which was an apology
from McNair and the promise that
the wrong that had been done the
by should be righted The con-
gressman made it plain that be would
not uphold the boy if ne was in the
wrong but be proposed to have fair
play
To-day the scene of action wac
transferred to Washington One of
McNair's aides came to Latimer. beg
ging him not to make any charges
against the ADMIRAL. and he agreed
that be would not if there was fail
reparation made the wronged cadet
Later. however, the secretary Of
the Navy took up the matter aud seLt
for Admiral McNa,r, who was here.
The secretary had tried &c get La,i
mer to prefer charges. but the latter
said he did not want to give the old
man trouble and that he did not con
slider that McNsir was altogether
responsible for his conduct yester.
day When the admiral and Latimer
net face to face. the secretary having
10 ihe meantime talked with the admi.
ral the latter was enraged beyond ess.
IRE "You have charged that l was
crunk." he cried out TO the congress.
raan "you lie" With that Latimer
jumped up and Yves about TO strike
the admiral, when the latter apologized
most abjec,ly. taking back all often.
sive words He was evidently labor
ing under intense excitement Ate.
awhile. however. he quie,ed down.
and The matter was lef, by the secre.
tary with the understanding that
McNair is to investigate the Maxwell
case thoroughly and make proper
smends il any wrong has been done
the cadet THE, MIR. Latimer insists.
must come in tho ahape of public
apology by MoNaI to the boy before
the class.
1t 10 highly probable that their will
be official investigation into McNair's
conduct. although there is general
disposition on the part Of all concern
ed to let him of as lightly as possible
because of his age aud the fact that
he will retire within u year r-R M.
l.. in News aud Courier