Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-09-18
Schley>Sampson Court Began Its Ses,
sions at Washington Prompt
ly on Time.
SCHLEY STRUCK THE TUNE
Court Was Short a Member in Less
Than Fifteen Minutes and
Adjourned.

Washington, Sept. II. Within
three hours Of the time from conven-
ing the court of inquiry today it was
announced that Rear Admiral Howl
son was disqualified from serving as
a member Of the court and was ex-
cused from further duty. This
brought the proceedings to an alb
rupt termination and caused a tenn
porary adjournment OF the court in
order to permit thenavy department
to designate an officer to succeed
Admiral Howison. No further SEES
sion Is probable until The early part
OF next week. 1t has been expected
that little official business would be
accomplished today and the prompt
decision as to Admiral Howison
came somewhat as n surprise.
A salute OF seventeen guns, in hon
or OF the admiral of the navy, mark
ed the opening OF the proceedings at
O'Clock. The usual formalities on
the opening Of the court were trans
acted with dispatch. The first Skin.
mish was opened by Admiral Schley
rising from his seat and speaking in
strong voice, calmly and deliberately
challenging Admiral Howison's eligi-
bility as a member Of the court.
Three witnesses were brought for
ward Ia support OF this challenge,
namely, Francis s. Frost, William f.
Spon and Foster Nichols. They gave
very positive testimony as to express
sions they had heard Admiral Howl
son make favorable to Admiral
Sampson and ~unfavorable to Admir-
al Schley. Mr.. Frost testified to a
statement Admiral Howison had
made to him at Boston while the
witness was seeking news as a re-
porter; Mr.. SpOn to remarks made
while he and the admiral were Jour.
ney Ing back to this country from
Europe on a transatlantic steamer,
and Mr.. Nichols to a conversation
which occurred during a bu~sinesscall
at Admiral Howison's private resi-
dence at Yonkers, n. Y.
In concluding this testimony the
question arose whether Admiral
Howison would join issue with the
statements made by the witnesses or
would rest on his privilege to with.
hold any answer until he chose To
submit It. The admiral met the u.s.
sue by turning at once to Admiral
Dewey and announcing that he
would make a written rejoinder to
the statements of the three witnesses.
This rejoinder he prepared very
speedily. While %cOnceding the ac-
curacy Of some points in the evidence
1t threw considerable doubt on other
points and disclaimed any recollec.
ton Of the talks said to have taken
place on the transatlantic steamer,
1t was not sufficient, however, to
counteract the very direct testimony
given by the three witnesses, and,
moreover, the admiral himself, In
concluding his statement. indicated
plainly that he had no desire to re.
main on the court, and was there
simply In obedience to orders. He
even appealed to his associates on
the court to decide all doubtful ques.
lions as to his eligibility In favor o.
Admiral Schley.
Before submitting the challenge tt
the determination OF the court Mr.
Raynor examined Admlra
Howison very infinitely as to his
personal sentiments toward Admira
Sampson and Admiral Schley ant
developed that Admiral Howison hat
expressed certain definite conviction
az to Admiral SIMPSONS retention'
OF authority and responsibility, ever
while he was absent %temporaril,
from the fleet at Santiago. Thu
challenge was then submitted to tn,
court, which, under the circumstan
ces. was narrowed down to Admira
Dewey and Rear Admiral Benham
to pass upon. After hardly NOR
than fifteen minutes spent In retire
ment To the consultation. room ofth'
court, Admiral Dewey announced
that the court sustained the chal
lenge and that Admiral HUwisoI
would he excused from further at
tendance.