The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1901-12-24

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on scows in the Mississippi river
in that conflict. Benham's clos
est approach to modern navy
work was when he commanded
a division in the ship parade
near New York in 1893. Ramsey
has been on shore duty most of
the time since the civil conflict.
These are the muzzle- loading,
smooth bore admirals who say
that Schley was guilty of the
crimes the bureaucrats charge
against him. Such are the men
who oppose their judgment to
Dewey's. They didn't know,
they couldn't know, the rights
and the wrongs of the case.
They were as incompetent to
judge Schley as the shore-loving
sailors who accused him. 1t re-
quires no gift of second sight to
state whose opinion the Ameri-
can people will accept.
Had Dewey found against
Schley. with Benham and Rams
ey on the other side. the popular
faith in the hero of Santa go
must have been shaken. Dewey
was there as an absolutely i'm
partial judge. He has had no
favors from the administration,
he desired none. The honors
which have fallen to him have
come without asking. Dewey
cannot be dragged from his high
estate by all the power the ring
can bring to bear. says the Salt
Lake Herald. As honest man he
could give an honest opinion, un-
mindful of the result.
When, therefore, Dewey COM
pletely exonerates his brother
admiral. when he adds fresh
lustre to Schley's glory, the
country may feel secure In the
belief that Schley is entitled to
it all. The Brooklyn's famous
loop in the Santiago battle is not
touched upon by Admiral Dewey
specifically. 1t may be taken
for granted, though. that when
Dewey says Schley is entitled to
the credit for the glorious vic
tory. he believes the loop was
a necessary tactical manenver.
1t may be true. as the majority
says, that the Texas was compel
led to stop and back her engines.
but that doesn't seem to have
made any difference in the re-
suit, and results are what count.
Sampson. if he had been ten
miles closer, might have whip
ped the Spanish more artisticaI-
ly, but, as the dsrkies say. .Schley
''shuk 'em up nightly" The
outcome of the inquiry is un-
questionably victory for Ad-
miral Schley.
The court was instructed to
find out something about the
movements of Schley's fleet prior
to June 1, 1898. about the block
ade of Cienfuegos. the blockade
of Santiago. the necessity for the
loop made by the Brooklyn in
the battle, and such other mat
ters as might appear worth
while as the investigation pro-
gressed. Among other matters
was the charge of Maclay, APP
proved by Sampson, Crownin-
shield and others, that Schley
was coward and a ''caitiff. "
Happily. the court is unani-
nous in the opinion that Maclay
lied on this point. All three of
the admirals say Schley was
brave, and that his example en-
couraged his officers and men.
Now the country will wait with
impatience to see what Secretary
Long will do to Maclay. The
little fellow isn't worth the
trouble of an investigation. He
should be picked up by the scruff
of the neck and kicked siren
uously out of the service.
1t is to be hoped that Admiral
Schley and his counsel will not
seek further vindication. Moth
ing could be gained by a con-
gressional investigation. Schley
and Dewey will go into history
as the naval heroes of the war
with Spain. and there will then
be when all others have beey
forgotten. Now Schley goes
into retirement to spend the eve
ming of his life in peace and
quiet. To him his grateful
countrymen will say. as did Rip
Van Wrinkle in his famous toast /:
Here's to the health of you
and your families; may you live
long and prosper"
Elk Congressman Cochran APP
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