Rock Island Argus., 1901-09-13
PAUSE IN THE CASE
Effect of the Dismissal of Howl.
son in SchIey Court of
Inquiry.
THE NAVY HINTS AT SUCCESSOR
The Testimony Thai Has Been
Submitted so Far and Who
are Heard.

Washington. Sept 13.-The Schley
court of inquiry met yesterday. and
within three hours from the time OF
converting il was announced that Rear
Admiral HowisOn was disqualified
from serving as member or the court
and was excused from further duty
This brought proceedings 10 an abrupt
termination and caused q temporary
adjournment of the court in order to
permit the navy department to desig-
nate an officer to succeed Admiral
Howison. 1t had been expected that
little official business would be ac-
cOmplished on the opening day. and
the prompt decision as to Admiral
Howison came somewhat as a sur
prise. Intense interest appeared to be
taken by the public in the proceedings.
and though ii was known that only Il
very limited number of persons would
he admitted TO the court room. and
these by card. large crowd was as
sembled at the Washington navy yard,
where the court meets. to witness the
coming and going of the prominent
naval officers.
Men Who Are Taking Part
Admiral Dewey, Admiral Benham
and Admiral Howison composed the
court. and at another table sat Ad-
miral Schley. who had about him dis
tinguiShed party of counsel. including
Hon. Jere Wilson. Attorney General
IsidOr Raynor (Of Maryland and Cap
tain James Parker. with Mr.. league
acting as advisory counsel. The first
Skirmish was opened by Admiral
Schley rising from his seat. speaking
in strong voice. calmly and deliberate
ly challenging Admiral HowisOn's elig-
ihility as a member of the court. Three
witnesses were brought forward in
support of this challenge. namely.
Francis :. Frost. William r. Spon and
Foster Nichols. They gave very posi-
tive testimony as to expressions they
had heard Admiral HowiSon make.
What spon Heard Howison Say.
Spon testified that he had been a
passenger on the steamer Minneapolis
Oct. II. 1900. and that Admiral Howl
son also had been n passenger on the
same, vessel on this voyage. The wit
ness related that one day during the
voyage the Sampson-Schley contro-
verSy came up. and one gentleman had
expressed himself as favorable to Ad-
miral Sampson. Spou had taken the
opposite side. and remarked that the
admiral had been the last member OF
use of SmokeleSS powder by the navy.
Admiral HowisOn came within hear
ing of the conversation at this point.
and walking up to the group inter
rupted and told SpOn that he was not
correct and knew nothing of what he
was talking about. adding that Schley
should have been court-martialed.
Foster Nichols Gives Testimony.
Foster Nichols said he called upon
Admiral HowisOn July l of this year
for the purpose OF securing from him
notes for biography of the admiral;
that the admiral had asked to be eX-
cused from granting an interview: that
after n conversation ne had produced
n copy of the work which his house
was getting out, containing sketches of
the leaders in the Spanish-American
war and containing pictures of Samp-
son and Schley: that at the sight OF
Schley's picture Howison said Schley
had no business i'm the navy. and that
II Schley were in the English navy he
would have been put out for less
cause than there Is in his case.