The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1901-09-20
BENNETTSVILLE.S !. s..
RULED HIM OUT.
Admiral Howiscn Dropped trcm
the 8chIoy Court
BY THE OrHER NEMBERR,

BYTHE EOyhER MEMsERs,
8chIoy's Keen Lawyer Finally
Cornerod Howison Into Ad.
mission of set Views
on Important Point.
The Sohloy court Of inquiry assom.
bled in Washington on Thursday, and
within throe hours from tho timo of
convoning announced that Roar Ad.
miral Howiaon was disqualified from
sorving % a member Of the court and
was oxcuaod from further duty. This
brought proceeding to an abrupt ter
mination and caused temporary ad-
journment of the court in ordor to por-
nit tho navy department to designate
an officer to suooood Admiral Howison.
No further session is probable until
tho carly part of next week. 1t had
been expected that littlo official bust.
ness would bo accomplished on tho
opening day, and the prompt dooision
| as to Admiral Howison oame somewhat
as surprise.
Intonse interest appeared to bo takon
by tho public in the PROCEEDINGS and
though it was known that only a very
i iimitoG nuuboT vi persons would bu
k&nd 10 !
by card, largo crowd was assembled
at the court room Thursday morning to
witness tho coming and going of tho
prominent naval officers who wero to
take part in tho proceedings. Thoy
oamo ununiformed and unhoralded,
and until the full dress uniforms had
boen donnod at quarters inside the yard
for the actual sessions Of tho court,
thero was little to lend dramatic inter.
est, to tho occasion. Admiral Dawey
and Admiral eohley naturally woro tho
premier figures in popular interest.
| Tho latter had about him distinguish
cd array Of counsel, including Hon.
Joro Wilson, Attorney General Isidor
Raynor Of Maryland and Capt. James
Parker, with Mr.. league acting as ad-
visory counsel The German naval at
tacae, Capt. Robour Pasohwitz, ooou.
pied one of tho seats in the public area
and the number of wives of naval off !.
GERS proBent was noteworthy.
A salute Of II guns in honor Of the
admiral Of tho navy marked tho opon-
ing Of the proceedings at O'clock. The
usual formalities on the opening Of q
court were transacted with dispatch.
Tho first skirmish was opened by Ad.
miral Sohloy rising from his seat and
epeaking in a strong voice, calmly and
deliberately, challenging Admiral How.
ison's eligibility as q member OF the
court. Three witnesses were brought
forward in support Of his challenge,
namely, Francis 8. Frost, William u.
Spon and Foster Nioholls. They gave
very positive testimony as to expros
sions thoy had heard Admiral Howison
mako, favorable to Admiral Sampson
and unfavorable to Admiral Sohley.
Mr.. Frost testified to ststemont Ad.
miral Howison had made to him at
Boston while the witness was seeking
noHs as reporter, Mr.. Spon to ro.
marks made while he and the admiral
were journeying back to thia country
from Europe on trans Atlantic
steamer, and Mr. Nioholls conversation
occurred during business call at Ad.
mlral HoWison's private rosideuoe in
Yonkers, N. Y. On concluding this
Testimony, tho question arose whether
Admiral Howison would join issue with
tho statements mado by the witnesses,
or would rest upon his privilege to
withhold any answer until ho choose to
submit it. The admiral mot tho issue
by turning at onoo to Admiral Dowoy
and announcing that ho would make o
written rejoinder to the statements OF
| the three witnesses. This rejoindor he
prepared very speedily. While con.
ooding the accuracy Of some points in
tho evidence it throw considerable
! doubt on othor points and disolaimed
any recollection of the talks said to
have taken place on the trans Atlantic
steamer 1t was not sufioicnt, how.
ever, to countoraot the vory direct tes
timony given by tho thrco witnossos
and moreover tho admiral himself, in
concluding his statemont, indicated
plainly that ho had no dosiro to remain
on tho court and was there simply in
obedionco to orders. Ho oyon appealed
to his associates on tho court to dooido
all doubtful questions az to his eligi.
biity. in favor Of Admiral Sohloy.
Before submitting tho challenge to
the determination Of the court Mr..
Raynor cross examined Admiral Ho wi.
son very minutoly as to his personal
sentiments toward Admiral Sampson
aid Admiral Sohloy and developed that
Admiral Howison had Expressed oer-
tain defined convictions as to Admiral
SIMPSONS retention of authority and
responsibility, oven while no was ab.
sent temporarily from tho fleet at Sap-
tiago. Tho challenge then was sub
mitted to tho court, which unt or the
circumstances, was narrowed to Admiral
Dewey and Rear Admiral Benham, 10
pass upon. After hardly moro than 15
minutos spont in retirement to the
consultation room Admiral Dewey
briefly announced that the court sus.
tained the challenge and that Admiral
Howison would be excused from fur.
thor attendance. Tho decision came 40
quickly and unexpe ,tedly that it sent
a HutfnN IF oostok;o., ~