The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-07
RAYNOR THRILLS
 SCHLEY C0V1T
Senior Counsel for the plicant Makes Most ElOQue1k Plea
 for His Client.

Admiral Schley. concluded priihaht argument of over three hours with peroration so eloquent and tmpassioned that all within the sound of his voice were profoundly touched. This remarka- ble trial. he said. sought to condemn the man who had brought to successful ter imitation as great naval triumph as was ever won. In vivid coiors He painted the picture of the Brooklyn with Con- modore schley on he'bridge fighting the entire Spanish fleet until the Oregon ap- peared out of the smoke. The scene in the court room as he finished was thrilling. The attendance had been large all day, and at the morn- ing session lady had tainted from ex- ciSement. As Mir. Raynor began his eulogy of Admiral Schley, those in the audience, many of whom were ladies. leaned forward in their seats. The spell |. of his oratory was over them and when he described the Admiral's gallant deeds and the long persecution to which he had been subjected many of them wept. The members of the court displayed evidences of emotion and Admiral Schley himself was plainly moved. He sat, leaning
 
 His chin twitched and as his-counsel said he could afford to await the verdict Of posterity, two big tears rolled down his cheeks.
 The Tension Breaks.
 For full thirty seconds after MT. Ray nor closed there was not a sound. Then the tension broke in a loud burst Of ap- plause.
 Admiral Dewey after about half a fn nj that such a demonstration was out of nIace A moment afterward the court adjourned, the Judge Advocate pleading that he could not well go on today. Then another remarkable thing happened. AS soon as the gavel fell. the entire audi ence surged forward to shake the hands of Admiral Schley and Mir. Raynor. But the oncoming spectators fell back mo- xnent as they saw Admiral Dewey and. his two associates move around the table, as if by a common impulse. and congratu- late Admiral Schley and his counsel. Even Captain I@eraIx, the Judge sAasecs5es came forward to join in the congratuia- tions Then the public had its inning and for fifteen minutes after the court adiourned, Admiral Schley and Mir. Ray nor were kept busy shaking hands.
 MT. Raynor displayed good temper in adverting to the testimony of most of the officers especially the ranking officers who
  them in each case credit for honesty of purpose. But with a few he dealt un- sparingly. Wood, Potts and Bristol he held up to ridicule.
 A Shot at Bristol.
 MT. Raynor referred satirically to the testimony of Lieutenant Bristol, saying among other things: His vision was Divine inspiration. Sextants and stadi- meters, compass bearings, government
 anfe aV1A were all dim and obscure in comparison with the miraculous powers of his un- aided vision which lit up and illumined the entire harbors of Cienfuegos and Santiago, with the unerring precision of the morning sunbeams. Government ex- perts with mathematical accuracy had measured the heights of Morro Castle and Zocapa battery, but down they went one hundred feet when they encountered Bristors miraculous eye"
 MT. Raynor next came to the considera- tion of Admiral Sampsons interview with the commander of the flying squad ron, especially referring to Admiral Schleys testimony relative to the direc- tions of Admiral Sampson, with reference to attacks upon land batteries. He also referred to Captain Chadwicks testimony in this connection and said that Admiral Schley's statement being affirmative. was much more entitled to credence than was Captain Chadwick's, which was negative. He said that Captain Chadwick had given testimony as to only ore statement that was made in that interview, which could have been uttered iA thirty seconds, while Chadwick himself had admitted that the interview lasted nearly twenty-five min utes and Admiral Schley had placed the time at three-quarters of an hour.
 Chadwick Forgetful.
 Mir. Raynor said he thought that Cap tain Chadwick had been forgetful, but that no charge could be made against him on that score. Admiral Schley, however. who had given positive testimony, would be guilty of perjury if his statement was not true. Reverting to the blockade of Cienfuegos, MT Raynor said Captain McCalla had admitted on the stand that he himself had disobeyed orders in not leaving the Eagle of that port when he left for Key West He did not. he said, mean to criti- cize Captain Mccall: but If he was not to be censured for disobedience of orders, why. he asked, should Admiral Schiey be?
 recess for luncheon.
 After the recess, MT. Raynor discussed inc ninth specification which dealt with the loon of the Brooklyn and the possi- bility of colliding with the Texas.
 MT Raynor said he stood upon the tes- +imonv of Captain Cook, who had the hest opportunity to give all the informa- t,on about the loop. What might have happened had the Brooklyn turned to mort was purely a matter of conjecture. The turn in the other direction was com nleteIy successful. It was intimated that the turn to the southward had been to get away from the enemy, yet 1t was an indisputable fact that the turn had brought the Brooklyn closer to the span tsh fleet and she received thirty or the forty-three shots which struck the Amer ican ships
 Heilner and Hodgson.
 MT. Raynor then discussed the testi- mony of Heilner and Hodgson. and in this connection said the chart prepared by the navigators of the ships in the battle, flor all purposes of historical accuracy, nisht as well be c chart of the battle of Thermopylae or the field of Waterloo. As a disastrous failure. the chart is mag nifcent success
 Mir Raynor then took up specification No 10. concerning the Hodgson contro- versy. He said he would fall back on Captain Cook. who had said that the danger of collision had never entered his head.