Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-11-08
Logic and Eloquence Of Closing
Address Sway Court.
RAYNER'S GLOWING SPEECH.
Sindication OF Commander of the Brook
lyn Made to Appear Convincing and
and Incsntroyertible-- Spectators APP
pland at Close of the Address.

eloquence. His peroration was a SPLEEN
did tribute to the gallant sailor whose
professional honor lie has sought to
defend. In vivid colors he painted the
picture of the Brooklyn, with Commo-
dore Schley on the bridge fighting the
entire Spanish fleet until the Oregon
appeared out Of the smoke The thun-
ders of the Brooklyn, music for the
ears of his countrSmen, lie said
aroused Admiral Schley's envious foes
He pictured the victorious sailor suf-
fering as few have suffered for three
long years, while the fires OF persecu-
ton leaped around him, and now
awaiting the hour of his vindication
in the verdict Of the court.
%-@ Closes with Eloquent Force. .
"And when it comes" he concluded,
she can, from the high and exalted
position that he occupies, look down
upon his traducerS and maligners and
with excellent pride exclaim: I care
not for the venomous gossip of clubs.
drawing-rooms and cliques and the
poisoned shafts Of envy and of malice
1 await, under the guidance of Divine
Providence, the verdict of posterity.'''
Before the closing sentence had been
completely spoken the vast throng of
spectators began to applaud without
restraint. Admiral Schley, his eyes
wet with tears, seized General Ray
ner's hand and wrung it with impetu-
GUS gratitude. The three admirals
comprising the court came around
from behind the big desk, where they
have sat so patiently for nearly two
months, and one after another cordi-
ally shook hands with General Rayner
Admiral Benham was the first to ex-
tend congratulations to the Maryland
lawyer. Admiral Dewey was close be-
hind him.
Dewey Gives Due Praise.
''Iou made a splendid argument,'
was the greeting of the admiral of the
navy. Admiral Ramsey hung behind
long enough to place both hands upon
the shoulders of Admiral Schley, who
was about to leave the room, and say
something in kindly tone that caused
the distinguished applicant to smile.
Then Admiral Ramsay went over and
also shook hands with General Ray
ner.
shows Lack of Information.
In connection with the events at
Santiago following the first arrival of
the fleet at a point to the southwark
of that port General Rayner also made
a strong point upon the failure Of Cap
tains Wise and Jewell to communicate
the information in their possession to
Sch1ey. The trend of General Ray
ner's argument throughout was that
Schley was the victim of indifference
or carelessness or wilful neglect on
the part of subordinates who failed to
perform specific duties that had been
imposed upon them by Sampson or the
Navy Department. Judge Advocate
Lemly will close for the department.,
Capt. Parkers Address
Captain Parker maintained that the
blockade of Santiago was effective. He
defended Commodore Schleys recon-
noissance of May; 81, saying he had
acted wisely in determining the actual
conditions. In this line of policy he
said that Commodore Schley's conduct
was paralleled by that of Admiral
Dewey in Asiatic waters when the lat
ter remained for several days in Mrs
Bay. Regarding the loop made by the
Brooklyn, Captain Parker declared it
was the wisest movement that could
have been made. All talk about the
Brooklyn going to the southwark he
characterized as "moonshine."
eff the Spanish gunners could have
shot as the Americans did, declared
t1S, ~
stead of being on trial, as he is today,
would be in a sailors grave
Sarcastic Reference to Evans.
Referring to the Hodgson controver-
sy, Captain Parker said he really be-
Heved Hodgson desired to tell the
truth, but unfortunately had told a
different story every time he had
opened his mouth. Captain Parker
said he did not know how the alleged
controversy over the danger of col
liding with the Texas arose except
from the story which had been told
by the captain of the Iowa. The
speaker was sarcastic in his allusion
to Captain Evans alleged statement
regarding the damage he had done to
the Spanish ships.
T.. S. Theall, acting on behalf OF
Stayton & Campbell, who were re-.
tanned by Admiral Sampson to look
after the latter's interest before the
court of inquiry, sent letter to the
court Of inquiry protesting against the
inclusion in the record of certain
statements believed to reflect upon Ad- |
miral SIMPSONS conduct at Santiago
The letter is addressed to Admiral
Dewey as president of the court