The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-09-18
RULED HIM OUT.
Admiral Howison Oroppsd from
the SchIey Court
BYTHEOTHER MEMBERS.

BV SE ~ FCk MEWScRe.
schley's Keen Lawyer Finally
cornered Howison Into Ad.
mission of Set Views
on lmportans POINT.
The Schley court Of inquiry assem-
bled in Washington on Thursday, and
within three hours from the time of
convening announced that Rear Ad,
miral Howison was disqualified from
serving as member Of the court and
vss excused from further duty. This
brought proceeding to an abrupt ter
minstion and caused o temporary ad-
journment Of the court in order to per-
nit the navy department to designate
sa o&cer to succeed Admiral HoWison.
No further session is probable until
the early part Of next week. It had
been expected that little official bust.
ness would be accomplished on the
opening day, and the prompt decision
as to Admiral HoWison came somewhat
as surprise.
Intense interest appeared to be taken
by the public in the proceedings and
! though it vas known that only very
limited number Of persons would be
admitted to the court room and these
by card, large crowd was assembled
at the court room Thursday morning to
witness the coming and going Of the
prominent naval officers who vera to
take part in the proceedings. They
came ununiforned and unheralded,
and until the full dress uniforms had
been donned at quarters inside the yard
for tie actual sessions Of the court,
there was little to lend dramatic inter.
est to the occasion. Admiral DaWey
and Admiral Schley naturally we're the
premier figures in popular interest.
The latter had about him a distinguish
ed array Of counsel, including Hon.
Jere Wilson, Attorney General Isidor
Rsy1or of Marylsnd and Capt. James
Parker, with MIR. Tesgue acting as ad-
viso,y counsel. The Gsrmsn naval ST
tache, Capt. Rsbeur- PsschWitz, occu
pied one of the seats in the public ares
and the number Of wives of naval off,
GERS present was noteworthy.
A salute Of II guns in honor Of the
admiral Of the navy marked the opea-
ing Of the proceedings at o'clock. The
usual forna!ities on the opening of q
court were transacted with dispstch.
The first skirmish was opened By Ad-
miral Schley rising from his seat ard
speaking in q strong voice, calmly and
deliberately, challenging Admiral How
isoa's eligibility as member o: the
court. Three witnesses we're brought
forward in support Of his challenge,
namely, Francis s. Frost, William Z.
Spon and Foster Nichols. They gave
very positive testimony as to ezpres,
sions they had hesrd Admiral Hosison
make, favorable to Admiral Sampson
and unfavorsole to Admiral Sch!ey.
Mr.. Frost testified to a statement Ad-
miral HoWjson had made to him at
Boston while tie witness was seeking
news IS reporter, Mr.. Spoa to re-
marks made WhiIe he snd the admiral
we're journeying back to this country
from Europe on trans Atlantic
steamer, and Mr.. Nichols conversation
occurred during business call at Ad.
mi1al Ho#ison's private residence ID
Yonkers, N. Y. On concluding this
testimony, the question arose whether
Admiral HoHison would join issue with
the statements made By the Witnesses,
OF would rest upon his privilege to
withhold any answer until be choose to
submit it. The admiral net the issue
by turning at once to Admiral Dewey
and announcing that he would make
written reioin6er to the statements Of
the three witnesses. This rejoinder he
prepared very speedily. While con-
ceding the accuracy Of some points IN
the evidence it threw considerable
doubt on other points end disclaimed
any recollection of the talks said to
have tsken place on the transatlantic
stesmer. It was not sufficient, how.
ever, to countersct the very direct tes
timony given by the three witnesses
and moreover the admiral himself, in
concluding his statement, indicated
plainly that he had 10 desire to remsin
on the court and was there simply in
obedience to orders. He even appealed
to his associates on the court to decide
sll doubtful questions IS to his eligi-
bility in favor of Admiral Schley.
Before submitting the challenge to
the determination Of the court Mr..
Rsynor cross examined Admiral Ho vi.
son very minutely as to his personal
sentiments toward Admiral Sampson
81 d Admiral Schley and developed that
Admiral Howison had expressed GER
tain defined convictions as to Admiral
Simpsons retention Of authority and
responsibility, even while be was ab-
sent temporarily from the feet at San
tiago. The challenge then was SUBJ
nitted to the court, which un er the
circumstances, was narrowed to Admiral
Dewey and Rear Admiral Bsnham, 10
pass upon. After hardly more than Is
minutes spent in retirement to the
consultation room Admiral Dewey
briefly announced that the court sus.
tained the challenge and that Admiral
EoRison would be excused from fur
ther attendance. The decision came so
quickly and unexpectedly that it sent
futter of agitation throughout the
court room. There was buzz OF anil
msted comment, and Admiral Sch!ey
exchanged locks Of satisfaction with
his counsel. Admiral Dewey then at
once closed the proceedings Of che day
BY announcing that the court would