Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-01
SIMPSONS WANING CHANGES.

The friends of Admiral Sampson are greatly distressed over his letter. to Secretary Long, advising against the promotion of gunners in the navy tO commissions because they lacked gen. tie breeding. They plead that he has been sick and was probably not in his right mind; that the letter was written by dictation and that ne was not cor
 rectly understood by his stenographer; that he was irritated by the contro- versy with Schley, etc. The New York Sun. which has been his staunchest de- fender, says he didn't lie like Schley and a liar is not gentleman anyway. AS it is not known that Schley had a hand in fooling Sampson into the production of his snob epistle, the dragging of his name into the affair seems irrevelant to say the least. 1t looks as though Schley is doomed to share of the punishment for Sampson's folly, for the promotion of both to the rank of vice admiral was supposed to be settled, and now it is thought that congress will not take action in either case.
 Senator Allen in debate Tuesday de- nounced Sampson as snob and cOnceited ass, and another member pronounced him q coward. The last pIODapiS I0o IS1cl- ence to the fact that he was far away from danger at Santiago, while Schley remained at his post and directed the lighting. MT Allen proclaims that he is responsible for what he says, which is a gentle hint to Samp- son that he would be much obliged to him if he would send challenge to duel. That is the old-fashioned way of demonstrating q mans coward1ce.
 But Sampson does not vaunt his qualities as a fighter. There are large number of nav al fiunkies who prefer to represent the navy in Washington society, who can converse like men of learning. dress in elegant uniforms, dance grace fully, and who, if they fight at all, it is from rivalry for the affections of some lady. Of these Sampson as pires to head the line. His training for such position was not acquired as digger of sewers in company with his father during school vacations, but to the leisurely life he led in Washing ton society, while others ''who have not had the social advantages that are requisite for commissioned ofticer,'
 were away fighting the battles of their country. There is, without doubt, difference between the men who han- dle the guns in naval battle and the commissioned officers who hang around Washington to play the social dude, but the American people, judg- ing from the opinions they express of
 Sampson. do not regard this difference as favorable to the latter.
 Secretary Long is hard headed.
 sensible, just man, who believes that real merit deserves reward. and he
 will not be moved by SH'"'>"""'s ch,ec- tions. He does not believe that all the good places should be reserved for the
 men of such exalted qualities. such eX- uuisite culture. that they are too nice
 to fight or to give their ladv friends an alarm for their safety by going into
 battle. Promotion for real merit IS not vet wholly obsolete. The old sea dog may sometimes be litti" gruH,
 but the government did not refuse to
 honor Paul Jones. and Farragut. on that account And Sch1ey is going to be left in a higher rang than Sampson hecause he did some r"',' ting at Santiago.-New Haven Palladium.