The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-09-13
HOWISON WILL NOT SIT
ON COURT OF INQUIRY
Challenge Of Admiral SchIty as to His UnfitneSS
Is Sustained.
Adjournment Taken in Order to Permit Navy Department
to Appoint New Member.

Washington, D. c. Sept. 12.-Wfthin
three hours from the time of converting
the court of inquiry today, it was
announced that Rear Admiral Howison
was disqualified from serving as a
member Of the court, and was excused
from further duty. This brought pro-
/ ceedings to an abrupt termination, and
caused temporary adjournment of the
court in order to permit the navy de-
partment 10 designate an officer to sue
/ coed Admiral Howison. No further ses-
/ sion is probable until the early part Of
/ next week. 1t had been expected that
/ little official business would be accom-
/ pllShed on the opening day, and the
/ prompt decision as TO Admiral Howl
son came somewhat as a surprise.
! Prior to the courts converting a good
sized crowd assembled at the Wash
/ lngton navy yard, where the court
/ meets, to witness the coming of the
/ prominent naval officers who were TO
| take part in the proceedings. They came
! un-uniformed and unheralded, and till
/ the full dress uniforms had been donned
/ at quarters inside the gard for the act
/ ual sessions of the court, there was
little to lend dramatic interest to the
/ occasion.
| Admiral Dewey and Admiral Schley
naturally were the premier figures in
popular interest. The latter had about
It
including Jere Wilson, Attorney Cen
eral -lsidore Raynor Of Maryland anu
| Captain James Parker, with Mr..
league, acting as advisory counsel.
A salute Of seventeen guns, in honor
Of the admiral of the navy, marked the
opening Of the proceedings at 1 O'Clock
The usual formalities on the opening
Of court were transacted with dispatch.
The first skirmish was opened by Ad-
miral Schley rising from his seat and
4 cal a
deliberately, challenging Admiral How
ison's eligibility as a member of the
court.
Testimony of Witnesses.
Three witnesses were brought for
ward in support of this challenge,
namely, Francis 5. Frost, William Spon
and Foster Nichols. They gave very
positive testimony as to expressions
they had heard Admiral HOwison make,
favorable to Admiral Sampson and un-
favorable to Admiral Schley.
Mr. Frost testified to a statement
Admiral Howison had made to him at
Boston while the witness was seeking
news as a reporter, Mr. SpOn TO re-
marks made while he and the admiral
were journeying back to this country
from Europe on a transatlantic
steamer. and Mr.. Nichols conversa-
ton occurred during a business call az
Admiral HowisOn's private residence at
Yonkers, y. Y.
In concluding this testimony the
question arose whether Admiral Howl
son would join with the statements
made by the witnesses, or would rest on
his privilege to withhold any answer
until he chose to submit il. The ad-
miral met the issue by turning at once
to Admiral Dewey and announcing that
he would make a written reiOinder to
the statements of the three witnesses.
This rejoindeE he prepared very speed
ily- While conceding the accuracy Of
some points in the evidence, it threw
considerable doubt on other points, and
disclaimed any recollection of the talks
said TO have taken place on the trans
Atlantic steamer.
1t was not sufficient, however. to
counteract the very direct testimony
given by the three witnesses, and. more
over, the admiral himself. in concluding
his statement. Indicated plainly thats
he had no desire to remain on the court,
and was there simply in obedience to
orders. He even appealed to his assoc
ciates on the court to decide all doubt
full questions as to his eligibility in
favor OF Admiral Schley.
Decision of the Court.
Before submitting the challenge. to
the determine ton OF the court, Mr.
Raynor cross-examined Admiral Howl
son very infinitely as to his personal
sentiments toward Admiral Sampson
and Admiral Schley, and developed that
Admiral Howison had expressed GER
tain definite convictions as to Admiral
SIMPSONS retention of authority and
responsibility. even while he was absent
from the fleet at Santiago.
The challenge then was submitted to
the court, which. under the circum-
stances, was narrowed down to Admiral
Dewey and Rear Admiral Benham, to
pass upon.
After hardly more than fifteen min
utes spent in retirement to the consul
tation room of the court. Admiral
Dewey announced that the court sus-
tanned the challenge, and that Admiral
Howison would be excused from fur
ther attendance. The decision came 50
quickly and unexpectedly thatit sent a
hutter of agitation through the court
room. There was a buzz of animated
comment. and Admiral Schlev ex-
changed looks of satisfaction with his
counsel.
Admiral Dewey then at once. closed
the proceedings of the day by announc-
ing that they would adjourn indef-
niteiy until the navy department had
named an officer to succeed Admiral
Howison-
Where Court is Held.
The early arrivals found the tool
shop. in which the court is to sit. in
some confusion The building is new.
and while the laborers had completed
tnelr preparations for the court, to
cleaners were engaged in their - >s.,x
up to almost the hour for the as-i,-s.i
OF the court The man with the dec
broom and cleaning cloth had S.r --..5,-
disappeared when Admiral Desvp--- =
his fellow members Of the CONT AZ
rived The building itself is a large