Connecticut western news., 1901-11-14
SCHLEY COURT ENDS.
CASE IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE
 JUDGES
Decision, It Is Expected, wtIl Not Be
 Rendered Within Less Than a
 honth-The Closing Arguments of Counsel.

Decision, It Is Expected, VIII Net Re
 Rendered Within Les. Than a
 honth-The Closing Arguments of
 Counsel.
 After sittings covering forty days and with a record which when com pleted will cover about 2,oo0 pages the Schley court of inquiry on Thursday adjourned its last public session.
 There was only one session Thurs. day. If began at o'clock. and the en- tire time was devoted to Captain Lem Tvs address. He read his speech in clear and distinct tones and was given careful attention. The speech in the main was an analysis of testimony, but occasionally a conclusion was drawn, and frequently there was criticism of the course pursued by Schley. Speak ing of his conduct. Captain Lemly said:
 From my knowledge of the man, having served under his command on two cruises, I have never believed, nor do claim from the evidence. that per sonal misconduct-or, to call a spade a spade, cowardice-was exhibited by Commodore Schley In any part of his career as commander In chief of the flying squadron. But I submit with regret that in the passage from Key West to Cienfuegos, while at the latter port, en route to the southward of San tiago without settled destination in the retrograde movement, in the return to the vicinity of Santiago and In the af- fair of May 31 the commodore exhibit ed unsteadiness In purpose and in push and failure to obey orders"
 The battle of July was declared to have been a captains fight, with the fleet not under control of any one per son in the actual engagement. At the same time he held Schley responsible for the loop, which, executed toward in- stead of away from the enemy, would not have so nearly caused two vessels of the American fleet to commit sui- eide.
 The entire time of the court on Wednesday was devoted to argument in Admiral Schley's behalf. Immedi- ately after the court convened Captain Parker proceeded with his address, which began on Tuesday, and he was followed by Hon. Isidor Rayner, Ad- miral Schley's chief counsel.
 MT. Rayner took up the specifications one by one, reserving those relating to the retrograde movement until the last. So far as he was able to do so, he used the testimony of the departments wit nesses to prove his contentious. With regard to the retrograde movement, which he discussed with greater seri- ousness than the other specifications, he adduced in justification not only all Admiral Schley's reasons for believing the Spanish fleet was not In Santiago, but argued that every officer charged with the responsibility of command necessarily must be clothed with dis cretion in carrying out instructions.
 MT. Rayner concluded his argument with a peroration so eloquent and im- passioned that all within sound of hls voice were profoundly touched.
 The finding ef the court will be made carefully, and several weeks may be required in its preparation. When com pleted, it will be submitted to the secre- tary of the navy and will not be given publicity except through him. Naval officers believe that there is no reason to hope for & decision in the case short of month.
 Admiral Dewey and Rear Admirals Benham and Ramsay met on Monday in secret session for the purpose of dis cussing the character of their report of the findings and opinions. The meeting was in the John R. Mclean building, where several rooms for the use of the court have been secured. All the ses- sions will be secret