The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1901-1901, 1901-03-04
MONDAY, MARCH 4. 1901.
ADMIRAL SAMPSON, SNOB.


promotion 10 the grade of ensigl. 1t
follows:
United States Torpedo Station,
Newport, r. l., Feb. 10.
Admiral w. T. Sampson, United
States navy:
Dear Sir-The new bill whereby six
six gunners are to be commissioned
ensigns tempts me- to write you,
trusting you will pardon the liberty
l take in SO doing.
AS l served on the flagship New
York during your command of the
fleet, you will know whether my
abilities, whatever they may be, are
of such merit as to warrant me in
filling the position of ensign. l would
say here that l never use tobacco or
liquor in any form.
If in your estimation, l am worthy
of this position, l shonld be most
grateful to you if you will recon-
mend me to the department.
am very respectfully yours,
CHARLES MORGAN,
Gunner, u. S. N.
These are Simpsons endorsements
respecting the applications:
Navy Yard, Boston, Feb IA.
Endorsement l. Respectfully for
warded to the navy department for
It's consideration.
2 Mr.. Morgan has a good profes
siOnal ability. he also has, which
distinguishes him from most other
warrant officers, a gentlemanly bear
ing. II he were to be commission
ed as an ensign he would probably
compare favorably, both profession
ally and in personal conduct and
bearing, with other officers of that
grade, as far as mis- technical edu-
cation would permit.
3. 1t Is earnestly to be hoped, how
ever, that the secretary of the navy
will not find it necessary to take adj
vantage of the authority which I
understand is to be granted him to ap-
point certain number of warrant
officers to the grade of ensign.
While it is true That these men are
selected from large class of men of
very unusual ability, which distin-
cuisines them as perhaps the profess
sional equals of their officers as far
as their technical education stands,
1t is also true that they are recruit
Ell from class of men who have not
haa the social advantages that are
a requisite for commissioned Off
IL is submitted that in time of
peace the navy's function consists
to certain extent, of representing
the country abroad, and it is import
ant that the navy's representatives
should be men of at least refinement.
Whlle there are perhaps certain
few among the warrant officers who
could fulfill this requirement, | am
of the opinion that the vast major
lty of them could not.
once they are commissioned they
will nave the same social standing
as other officers, and no distinction
could be made in extending general
invitations. The consequences that
would arise from their acceptance
might not rebound to the credit of
the navy or the country which the
navy represents.
| do not mean to detract from the
sterling worth of The warrant Off
GERS of the navy; l merely mean to
suggest to the department that, un
fortunately for them, they have been
deprived of certain natural advant
ages, and in consequence their proper
place is that of leading men among
the crew, and not as Representatives
of the country in the wardroom anG
steerage.
4. request that this may be
brought to the personal attention O.
the secretary of the navy.
w. T. SAMPSON.
Rear Admiral, U. S. N.
COmmandant.
In this Endorsement Sampson ha,
written himself down hopeless sno1
and has indicated the prevailin,
opinion that he is the leader of
toppish, snObbish naval aristocracy
whose members are better suited t.
"capering nimbly in lady's chambe
to the lascivious blessings OF a lutte,
than to perform the stern duties re
quired and expected of men of tn
navy. Social refinement is yer
desirable quality in any walk of life
but it would seem to be in nowis
essential to mans fighting capacit
In the navy or elsewhere. Sampso
is obviously out of place in the navy
He should be the rector of a fashion
able church, or devote himself to tn
compilation of work on social ct
quette. The peace-loving proclivitie
he betrayed at Santiago and this la
est evidence that he has all the pc
sonal characteristics of a cheap pa
venu. proclaim him wholly lacking
that generosity, courage and commo
sense. far more essential than tn
refnements which come of social al
vantages for those who aspire to b
~R