Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-22

regular for the navy department TO
Fear and determine questions affecting
the competency of members uf the
couIt and advises Admiral Srhl.y mat
tn" question of Admiral Howison's
competency BE- left To the court of in
quiry itself. The "1riespon renee fol
lows:
Washington. ID. G.. Aug. 10.
''Th" Secretary ~ The Navy.
SIT: | have The honor to cncIuco
herewith - newspaper Clipping in which
E-ar Admiral Hnri suu twno has been
selected to iii the vacancy caused by
"a" relief al l:.-lr Admiral l.. A. Kim
bcrl"y from tn" court Of inquiry is
ropr'.s, nt-i To have expressed certain
opinions.
II this statement. taken from the
Boston Record. ~ true. il would IN the
Judgment Of my counsel dispualify him
for serving in this capacity.
II respectfully request mat n copy
~ this letter with this enclosure ~ sub
nitted to Rear Admiral IloWisun for
his consideration; and would further
request HAT ] may br fuvor,d with
copy of his answer.
gard for Rear Admiral Howison
throughout a long professional service.
50 that | feel sure that if the stat
ments expressed in the enclosure ar"
true, Rear Admiral Howison would not
be willing u serve as a judge under
such circumstances.
II have the honor TO be.
Very respectfully.
w. :. SCILF,Y
Rear Admiral. L. :. N
Navy Department.
Washington. Aug. 90
Rear Admiral ". s. Schley. L. s. n,
Washington. ID. &.
Sir: Your letter of 18th. enclosing
newspaper clipping in regard alleged
statements of Rear Admiral Howison,
was received by mail. this morning.
Soon after its receipt Capt. James
Parker one Of Your counsel. called at
the department and stated that ne in
tended to go to Boston. Saturday. to
make further investigation in the
premises and wished that no step be
taken by the department until The re-
suit Of his visit could be communicate
ed TO the department.
The department would be pleased
to learn immedia tely if it be your de-
sire that action be withheld for the
present.
Respectfully.
F. w. HACkETT.
Acting Secretary.
The Arlington.
Washington. Aug. 90.
Sir. In reply TO the deplEtments
letter of this date referring 10 clipping
cont aiming alleged statements of Rear
Admiral Henry L. iiowison. | would
say that believe that the action re-
quested should not be withheld. as its
purpose was to avoid any delay in the
court after its session had begun.
''2-l beg. therefore that the request
of my letter of yesterday may be com
to Admiral Howison.
Very respectfully.
w. S. SCHI.EY.
Rear Admiral. L. :. n"
washington. ID. a.. Aug. II.
ITO the Secretary of the Navy:
Sir: In reply to Your letter Of 18TH
inst. inCloSin@ n newspaper clipping
and requesting the department. To send
ii to Rear Admiral Howison. together
with a copy Of your letter. yor are in
formed that the appointment Of Rear
Admiral HowiSon as third member
of the court of inquiry was accom-
plished only after taking great pains
to insure absolute impartiaiity i'll the
officer selected. To = question unoffi- |
cially put as to his availability IN
case the department shoull require !
his services. Rear Admiral Howison !
replied:
"'I know If no reason Why ! should !
not b. available for such duty should
the department 50 decide. have made /!
no public utterance relating to the .
subject ana ] have seen none of the !
official reports and papers bearing up |
on the questions to be decided by the
court
Your counsel. capt. Parker. before
the appointment had been announced.
mentioned to the acting secretary the
names of certain rear admirals any
one Of whom he said would be per
fectly satisfactory to Rear Admiral
Schley. one Of the names 50 mention
ed was that of Rear Admiral Howison.
II may be added that Of four officers
consulted by the depal tment. the
names of three were upon the list thus
mentioned by your counsel
This much has been detailed in or
der to remind YOU Of the fact that n
officer Of excellent reputa-
ion ana Of unblemished character. had
been found in the person Of Rear Al
miral HowisOn. who. at the date of
his appointment. appears To have en-
loved the confidence Of both the dc
partment and yourself.
Your request is based upon n news
paper clipping that purports to con
tain statements in regard to the truth
IF which YOU 10 not yourself express
IN opinion.
You ask the department to lay be-
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