The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-13
PRELIMINARIeS ARRANGED FOR THE
SGHLEY INVESTIGATION
THE PROCEDURE OF THE COURT
Not TO be Attended With the Strict
Formalities Usually Attending Na-al
Courts-The Judges to Pass Into h
Naval Grounds in Citizens Clothes,
Then to Don Dress Uniforms-Order
of BusIneSs-Sampson Not to be q
Witness-Howison's Position.

Washington, September 11.-An the
members of the Schley court Of in
quiry are now in Washington, Rear
Admiral Howison, the third member.
arriving last night.
Today Admiral Howison paid a form
al call. as required by naval etiquette,
at Admiral Dewey's residence on Rhode
Island avenue. Admiral Dewey, how
ever, did not come to town today, but
remained in his country home. Admir-
al Howison then went to the navy de-
partment. He had called upon acting
Secretary Hackett last night and the
only other formal call required of him
was to visit the judge advocate gen.
eral. Captain Lemly, which he did.
Rear Admiral Howison was extreme
ly guarded in answering inquiries re-
specting the court of inquiry. He said
it would not be proper to say anything
for publication in advance of the meet
ing Of the court as to his own inten-
tions or the probable line Of action of
the court. 1t was evident, however,
that he has not in any degree altered
his resolution to serve as a member OF
LII COull i lHS ollSI llIclllDSIS oNOSPS
his own view as to his qualifications.
He adhereS to the views set down in
his letter to acting Secretary Hackett
that it is the duty of a naval officer to
accept without question a call for SER
vice upon a court of inquiry or q court
martial. and although such duties
were not the sort promising pleasant
occupation they were not to be evad-
ed by any act of the person whose ser
vice is required. Therefore, Rear Ad-
miral Howison will by no act of his to-
morrow see: to escape duty On the
court of inquiry and if he should not
serve it will be because Admiral Dewey
and Rear Admiral Benham feel that
he is disqualified to act as an impartial
judge.
Everything is ready for the meeting
of the court.
DOUBTS AS TO SAMPSON TEST
FLYING.
The impression at the navy depart
ment now is that the taking OF teSti-
mony will not begin tomorrow, al
though that was the original expecta-
ton. A large number of witnesses are
in Washington ready to take the stand
at a moments notice, but formalitieS
are expected to consume most of to-
morroW's session which, after all, is
likely to be short, owing to the late
uOuI VI DeS1ll1lluS. ISO SulIl1IlOIlS Has
yet been issued for Admiral sampson
and, it is said, very few formal sum-
mOneS have been issued by the depart
ment. Although no positive statement
on that point is made 1T is gathered
from the attitude of the government
officers that they have no present in
tention of calling Admiral Sampson.
THE COURT FORMALITIES.
While observing all the forms that
are necessary to maintain the dignity
of the court, there is no disposition On
the part of it's members to try to mag
nifty it's Importance by useless ceremony
There will be no waste of gun powder
in salutes nor will the marines be turn
ed out in state at the navy yard as
the three admiralS make their way to
and from the building where the court
will meet.
THE COURT DRESS.
Tomorrow they will go to the navy
yard in plain clothing and thus relieve
the c~Ommandant of the necessity Of
ordering an official salute. They will
go to the hall shortly after noon and
in the commodiouS retiring room, ad-
jacent to the court room, provided for
their accommodation will array them
selves in what is known as the naval
dress uniform. This is not what IS
known as special full Dress but is
very nearly such, the main difference
consisting in the elimination of the cock
ed hat. Instead Admiral Dewey and
his fellow members will wear simple
naval caps, although in the case of
officers of their rank the cap is almost
~encrusted with gold, save on top. They
will wear the naval frock coat and gold
epaulettes n the service sword.
HOW THE COURT WILL SIT.
After the first day this uniform will
give place to the easier though less
impressive naval undress uniform di-
vested in large part of the heavy gold
trimming of the dress suit and even
permitting the wearing of a comforta-
BILE blouse.
Precisely at 1 o'clock the members of
the court will be seated Admiral Dewey
at the center of a table, placed cross
wise of the court room, with Rear Ad-
miral Benham on his right and Rear
Admiral Howison on his left. The
witnesses will stand at the left end of
the table next the official stenograph-
ers. n the judge advocate, Captain