Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-08-15
Admiral Evans Censurcd.


disgrace and the various jealousies and
strifes between generals were constant
modification to all lovers Of their coun-
try's good name The navy men mean
time were congratulating themselves that
no "embalme1 beef or transportation
scandals or pestilential camps. or per-
sonal quarrel5 were chargeable to tho
navy. The army warriors might fight each
other as we'll as the enemy the navy
saved its hot shot COR the Spaninrds; there
was glory enough to go Ground and all
was peace and harmony. from the secre-
tary of the navy down to the gun-crews
on shore leave.
OF late a change has come over the spirit
of the dream. Tho generals are doing
their duty and holding their tongues.
while the rear admrals are washing their
dirty linen in the newspapers The Samp-
r-Schley controversy has only to gain
little more heat to become sectional is
sue In the nation at large, and for any
naval man to take sides upon It, is to
subject him to vituperation ard obloquy
from the party no omits to Join. Rear Ad-
miral Robley d. Evans has allowed it to
be seen that he was on the Sampson side
of the controversy plainly enough to draw
upon him the cordial i'll will Of tho numer-
Gus adorers of Rear Admiral Schey.
While he was standing upon his record of
gallant service in the civil war; of four
wounds received in the attack on Fort
Fisher; of firm speech and bold action
wilhelm command of the Yorhto own in front
of Valparaiso. in 1891, which compelled Chill
t. hack down and give redress for her In
suits to the United ST. tcs and his eftec-
tive service in command or the Iowa, in
the naval battle of Santiago. he was all
right. But he has written book and
given his adversares just the opportunity
they longed for to triumph over him. He
has never been famous for mildncss of
speech or discretion ir language; and he
has now made the mistake OF airing per-
sonal grievances in his book in terms
which have subjected him to official CEN
sure. His book is entitled "A Sailors
Log" In it he relates ar experience which
he had while he was a house inspec-
tor. He says that an attempt was made
to levy political assessments on some
lighthouse keepers in his district, which
he would not permit to be done; that
somebody told the then secretary of the
navy GIon. William Z. Chardle of New
Hampshre) that Evans was interfering
with the political conditions The secre-
tary relieved" him and placed him on
waiting orders-that is on half pay. at
WAS, OF course, gross Injustice says
Evans but l took it as quietly as pos
sible and have always felt contenteG that
1 was not personally known to the man
who could so far degrade the high office
he held" was really of much
NOR Importance than ! had considered
myself, and | must be made to feel my
punishment However ] had felt the
sting of insects before in my life ana did
not consider them of much Importance"
William f.. Chandler Is MOI rio man to
allow insulting language like that to pass
a letter to the secretary CT the navy, some
passages in which are as follows:
| much regret that the admiral has not
chosen to withdraw or qualify his strc-
lures, on being rominded of the fact That
he was releN ed from duty as lighthouse
Inspector on July l41SSi, only by reason
Of the request of the Hon. Charles J. Fol
ger secretary of the treasury. under
whom he was serving and not at all by
reason of any opinion or desire of mine.
The facts alleged by Adr. iral
Evans in his Book that men were being
appointed for the lighthouse work for
political services rendered, which appoint
racnts he tried TO prevent; that political
assessments were being made upon The
light keepers which ne directed them
not to pay; that he refused to pass n
disrcputable fellow for light keeper
and that report was made TO mo that he
Was interfering with political conditions
In the fifth district, / never heard of until
/ read his book. No one of them Is true
l as far rs my knowledge gees.
He chose to keep silent and wait for more
than sixteen years, without a written
word of complaint, or any legitimate at
tempt to secure the righting of a wrong
, which, he says. was unjust punishment
and, In 1901, for revenge, at a safe distance
in time he enters the public press with
a libel upon the Secretary OF the Navy
who, in 1884 gave him the orders of which
- he made no proper straightforward, ol
. honorable complaint when they were is
, sued, But | am still alive and If he now
wishes TO know why Secretary Folger do
sired to have him detached from light,
house duty, the reasons are and always
i
ton of libel upon me is conduct unbecom
! ing an officer and a gentleman.
4 A few more words are necessary: AID
: mra Evans desires to have It appear tina,
: he was prosecuted for political reasons
This also Is not true. Until after March 4
q 1887 | did not know that he was or elaine,
r to be a Democrat. l have known of only
4 three or four naval officers who claimcc
recognition Of Mr.. Cleveland because the,
were Democrats | have never known o
= any naval officers who claimed favors O
, Republican Administration on tn
To- ground that they were Republicans.
lie (Evans) has been recognized and fay
orod az "A Democrat by Democratic Al
= ministrations he has never been persecut
Il ed or punished or In any way unjustl,
. treated by Republican Administrations
. but has been given service of the highes
I importance Far be 1t from me. however
- to say that Admiral Evans has been un
4 duly favored by any Administration
Il Mr.. Chandler closes his letter with tn
. following sarcastic and not altogethe dig
niied paragraph
n When ! examine the aforesaid book II
= Sailors Log my pride In the glory whicl
. came to my country through the MAYA
4 victories Of war with Spain Is unbounde,