The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-09-12
Excused as Member of Schley
Court of Inquiry.
FIRST SESSION HELD
Admiral Schley Challenges HOwison
and Tells Why.
COURT SUsTAINS ScHLEY'S VIEW
New Member Is Des-
ignated.


~ .....
Washington. Sept. 12.-The court sus-
tains the objection to Admiral Howison
and excuses him as a member of the
court.
At $40 p. m. the court adjourned until
It is reeonvened by the department, which
will not be until a successor to Admiral
Howison has been named.
Washington, Sept. 12.-It had been ex-
pected that there would be an early rush
on the part of the Washington public to
secure seats for the Schley inquiry, which
began at the Washington navy yard to-
day, but while there were more than the
usual number of people stirring about the
raVy yard, where the inquiry is to be held.
the pressure for places was by no means
as strong as had been expected. From
an early hour in the day there were few
stragglers in the grounds.
At l o'clock. when the court was called
to order. the seats reserved for the public
were not more than two-thIrds filled. The
early arrivals found the toolshop, in which
the court Is to sit. in some confusion.
The building is new. and while the labor
ers had completed their. preparations for
the court, the, cleaners were engaged in
their work I'D to almost the hour for the
arrival Of the court. The man with the
dust broom and cleaning cloth had scarce
ly disappeared when Admiral Dewey and
his fellow members arrived. The building
itself is a large. oblong structure and
looks more like the workshop which 1t is
intended to be than a courthouse. In
deed, while it is commodious, clean and
new, 1t created the impression Of an i'm
promptu courthouse in a frontier COM
munity. With the exception of two large
flags and huge golden eagle on the
leadcolored wall back of the court. the
walls of the court hall were entirely bare
of decoration and the floors were uncar-
peted. Not eSen we're the large windows
shaded. The seats, except those inside the
railing. were camp chairs. The elevator
and the electric fans played noisiIy and
there was smell of fresh paint on every
hand.
Judge Advocate First.
Captain Lemly, judge advocate general,
was the frst official arrival He came
in with his assistant, E. P Hanna. few
minutes after IL o'clock and they were
coon busy unpe cking two or three large
boxes Of books which it is expected will
be called into frequent use for reference
during the sitting Of the court
The distinguished naval officers who
wore TO participate in the proceedings be-
gan to put in appearance about 1920
O'Clock, but they came quietly and with
out any outward demonstration of salut-
ing guns or marching guards of honor.
Admiral Benham was the first member Of
the court to arrive. He was in civilian
dress with his encased sword in one hand
and an ample dress suit case, containing
his uniform in the other. An officer of the
yard escorted him to the private quarters
where the full dress of the court was to
be donned.
Admiral Dewey drove up in his carriage
at 1890 o'clock and was greeted at the
entrance of the building by Rear Admiral
Terry. .Commandant of the navy yard
a SudIu III uGI1u66 also KQ6Gl6Q into
line and saluted as the admiral passed
by. Accompanying him was his young
Chinese servant, who served him during
the battle in Manila bay and has ever
since remained as his body servant The
admiral smilingly acknowledged the greet
ings of officers and men and proceeded to
the private dressing rooms.
Admiral HoWison's arrival passed almost
unnoticed. as he has been here so little
Of Of TINT tho 0f OH I;l
not Immediately recognize him.
Admiral SchIey's Arrival.
Twenty minutes before the court was to
convene large automobile came up to the
building, bringing Admiral Schley. the
central figure Of the proceedings, accom-
panied by his counsel, Messrs. Jere Will
son. Isadore Raynor and Captain James
Parker, and the witnesses who were to be
offered in connection with the challenge
Of Admiral Howison as to his eligibility to
serve as member of the court.
Admiral Schley was the last to alight.
He was cordially greeted by Rear Admiral
Terry, commandant OF the yard. and in
return Admiral Schley clasped both
shoulders of the commandant and gave
him hearty return to his welcome Ad-
miral Schley wore a suit of navy blue of
civilian cut, with straw sailor hat His
eye glasses dangled from his breast. AS
he passed along 10 the dressing rooms he
was apparently oblivious to the fact that
every eye was centered on him.
The scene within the courtroom at the
moment the court convened was one of
impressive dignity. The. distinguished
participants had laid aside their civilian
dress and appeared in the brilliant full
uniforms of the naval service The con-
fusion that had prevailed through the
great hall subsided to an awe-like hush.
and tle uniformed guard of marines hur-
ried strangers into their seats.
Boom! boom!" came from a great
gun Just outside the building. 1t was
both salute and a signal that the court
had opened. The first crash of the gun
startled the spectators. Then they waited
as the seventeen guns, the number given
in honor of the admiral of the navy, had
been fired when every ear was strained
for the first word of the proceedings.
At the instant that the firing began Ad-
miral Dewey and his two associates had
entered through the rear doors and taken
seats at the spacious table,
Striking Picture.
1t was a striking picture, with Admiral
Dewey in the middle, Rear Admiral Ben
ham on the right and Rear Admiral How
ison on the left. Their faces were stern.
They were in full uniform, the four
starred collar of the admiral Indicating
his supreme rank in the navy His sword
hung at his left side, but it was his serv-
ice sword and not that presented by con-
gress In remembrance of Manila bay.
Admiral Schley sat at the table provided
for him and his counsel He, too. was in
full uniform, his eDaulettes showing the
two stars and anchor of his high rank.