The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-07

seriously. Down in Anne Arundel county.
Maryland. he said. they use such language
YOU this morning." But the trouble was.
he said, that the public did not have the
proper conception OF the occurrence as re-
ported. but had gathered the idea that the
Brooklyn was running away from the
scene of conflict. Admiral Schley had de
MED the reported colloquy. he said. but not
until after il had done him great injury.
The trouble about all this, said Mr.. Ray
ner. is that newspaper has been taken
newspaper" he continued, unless YOU own
one Yourself" Mr.. Rayner said he was
friend of the American press and if he had
the opportunity of consulting Mr.. Hodg
son he would have said to him: BE a little
careful how you converse with an enter
prising newspaper reporter and be eX-
tremely careful not 10 qualify any state
made. no matter how innocent you may
be-" 1t was case Of confiding innocence.
he said. upon the one side and business en-
terprise upon the other
"There are a hundred idle charges" he
continued. that you could bring against
pilage our careers. Upon this specifica-
ton | desire to say that the whole contro-
versy had passed into history long before
the specification was framed; that both of
the parties to ii were satisfied; that the
honor of the navy is not in the slightest
degree involved and the unblemished honor
OF Admiral Schley not Sullied In single
place"
Mr.. Rayner then took up the first specii-
cauon-Admiral Schley's conduct during
the campaign. Now. we come to Mr..
Wood and Mr. Potts" he began; Mr..
Potts and Mr.. Wood; Mr.. Wood and MIR.
Potts Laughter in the court1
After reading the testimony of several
officers as to the splendid bearing of Admi-
raj Schley Mr.. Rayner read the testimony
of Mr.. Potts, TO the effect that the admiral
appeared nervous; that he got up and sat
down.. Lieutenant Potts. went on Mr..
Rayner, has covered himself with renown.
His name will echo through the ages of un-
ila hnl he
ten and Santiago will be buried in Oblivion
the name of Potts shall live. Whenever an
admiral or commodore or captain is
engaged in the carnage of mortal conflict,
beware of Potts. Beware of your looks.
Be careful how you walk. Be careful how
you sit down. Be reserved and retcent in
your speech. Model your entire course and
conduct of action according to Potts, that
precocious child of the kindergarten, who
confesses that he was always scared when
he was in battle, but who, unfortunately.
was never engaged in any battle sufficient
enough even to arouse his timidity.
DRAMATIC SCENE.
AT this point Captain Lemly protested
against Mr.. Rayner's structures on Lieu
tenant Commander Potts, and his protest
led to a dramatic scene. Mr.. President
said Captain Lemly, Il think counsel
asked to be interrupted if he did not abide
by the facts. Now ne is not abiding by the
facts. Lieutenant Commander Potts has
never said that he was always scared when
he was in battle. He is traducing the repu-
tation of an officer who is well known 10
you, an officer of ability and high standing.
He is not abiding by the facts. Many in
stances have occurred in which counsel mas
absolutely misstateo the evidence, ana /
think he should be compelled TO abide alb
solutely by the facts, particularly when he
is attempting to traduce the reputation of
an officer. He has no right TO speak in this
manner OF an officer who is above any such
assault"
Mr.. Rayner-And YOU have no right TO
traduce the reputation of Admiral Schley.
l shall traduce the reputation of any man
who L think has not established his repu
tation. You say L have made a remark
that he said he was scared
Captain Lemly-There again he is mac
curate and is not stating fact.
Mr.. Rayner-I thought my brother had
abandoned these tempestuous RACES. ie /
made Il misstatement and he had spoken
TO me about it quietly L would have tax IN
IL back.
Mr.. Rayner then read from the evidence
of Mr.. Potts to prove his statement about
the latter being scared. How does that
suit yOu?" he asked
Il will say IL is incorrectly stated, and,
may the court please, do not think that
counsel should say that this is an attempt
to traduce Admiral Schey. / am here not
because | wanted to be, but because it is
my duty. / was ordered to come, and L
think it is unjust and it shows how utterly
Il
Mr.. Rayner-I do not think the court Will
permit this. You must not make state
ment of that sort | will not permit it.
Admiral Dewey-NO.
Mr.. Rayner-He is not only unreliable,
but very offensive.
Captain Lemly-Counsel gets up and says
that we are. in the discharge of a most
painful duty, trying 10 traduce Admiral
Schley.
Admiral Dewey said, after reply by Mr.;
Rayner: The court, of course will read
| all the testimony that has been given. We
will be governed by the testimony. We
know exactly what Lieutenant Commander
! Potts said. He said he was scared, but
! counsel did enlarge little on il.
Mr.. Rayner-Yes, ] probably did enlarge.
Captain Lemly-I am sorry l made the re-
| mark.
Admiral Dewey-It is only one day more
and think we ought to get along peace
| fully.
DISOBEDIENCE OF ORDERS.
! Mr.. Rayner took up the fifth specification,
alleging disobedience of orders of May p.
Mr.. Rayner told in graphic language how
/ Nelson had disobeyed orders at Copen-
hagen and had won immortal fame. If Com
modore Schley had honestly disobeyed or
ders, if he had betrayed his country. if he
| had disobeyed in bad faith Mr.. Rayner
| said, it would call for condemnation. lis
a commanding officer away from home -
he asked, Ito be stripped of every preroga-
! tive that he ought to possess in order to
| determine upon the eXigencies of the oc-
casion? II he acts honestly, according to
! the best judgment and light that he has,
| is he to be branded and consigned to
| ignominy because some one else in the
same situation might have adopted Il diff
| ferent course? 1t is easy enough at this
| hour to pass criticism on the conduct of the
campaign The question, however. is not
| to determine what Is the condition of our
| minds to-day. but what was the condition
of Admiral Schleys mind at the hour when
| the events took place. We know now that
| the Spanish fleet was H. Santiago the
| 18th of MAY. but on that day the whole
| world was doubtful on that subject. Upon
! this branch of the investigation, | stand
| by the testimony of the Cuban pilot, by the
infOrma ton conveyed by the Adula. by the
| conversation undoubtedly had with Capt
| Sigsbee by the unintentional failure the
| part of Captains Wise and Jewell to con-
I vey To Admiral Schley even the purport of
| the messages they had received. And what
! is more than ALL | stand by the report as
/ TO the chasing capacity of the ships with
the coal on hand which has been filed III
! this case. an imperishable document 50 far
as this controversy il concerned. because
| il exOnerates the admiral from the slight
/ est criticism OF censure And, standing upon
! this evidence, / plead for what | know he
will receive-an impartial verdict from this
! tribunal
Mr.. Rayner then took up consideration
! OF Specification 4, covering the circum-
! stances attending the arrival of the flying
| squadron off Santiago. the reasons for its
retrograde turn westward and departure