The age-herald., 1901-12-31
SIMPSONS PRIZE MONEY.
Reasons Why Ills Sum Far Exceeds
 That Awarded SehIey.


 Washington, December H.-Much popu- lar misapprehenslon prevails concerning the meaning of the Federal statutes re- lating to naval prize money and boun- ties, and their specific application to the sevral officers of the Santiago fleet.
 Net long ago the treasury department made public some statistics showing that Rear Admiral Sampson had received S95,- 797.44 on account of seizures and destruc tion of vessels in the West Indian cam paign, Captain Chadwick S1S3G0.5i and Rear Admiral Schley only s130.53 It was assumed by most persons that the sums represented the total amounts to be dis tributed by the government to the off, cers In question for their participation in the West India campaign, and that they represented the disbursement due on ac- count of the battle of Santiago Such is not the case On the authority of the auditor for the navy department 1t may be said that Admiral Sampson is the only officer who has thus far been paid bounty money on account of that engagement his share being $S3s5. The remainder of the money paid him comes on account of separate engagements seizures. etc, which his squadron made on the north and east seas of Cuba prior to July 3.
 The difference between bounty and prize money is doubtless commonly understood. When the ships of an enemy are sunk bounties are paid; when these ships are captured prize money is paid on the basis of the appraised value of the seizure, and in each case the money Is divided among the officers and crews under a law which has been in effect for great many years. The awards which thus far have been made on account of the West Indian cam- paign were ordered by the Court of Claims and by several of the Federal Court in the Southern States, and are strictly in accordance with the Federal statutes and the regulations of the office Of the auditor of the treasury for the navy department. Neither the navy de- partment nor any of it's officers had any, thing to do, directly or indirectly with these awards. and in the very nature of thO OdSS COuiu lOI lldNe Ildu any.
 All the money so far paid, or to be paid on account of the battle of Santiago is bounty money, save possibly that to come from the Maria Teresa. All the Spanish ships were sunk, and all save the Maria Teresa are still at the bottom of the ocean.
 Admiral Schley and the officers who were with him at Santiago, except Ad- miral Sampson, have not yet been paid the bounty due them for that engagement. The s149.5 prize money which Schley has received was paid for two small vessels which he captured during the Santiago campaign and has nothing to do with the battle of Santiago Bay. On account of that battle he will be paid about $3400 bounty, as division of squadron com mander. The court of claims has held that Admiral Sampson. having been with in signal distance, was commander-in- chief at the battle of Santiago. The Navy Department had nothing to do with this decision. As commander-in-chief, Samp- son is entitled to bounty equal to one twentieth of the total; Schley, as division or squadron commander, is entitled to one-fifth of the total The remainder will be divided in small proportions among the several captains of the fleet and the other officers and crews. This division can be made, 1t is believed, by the audit ing officers of the treasury, before the end of the year.
 Some comparisons have been made be- tween the cases of the Santiago officers and that of Admiral Dewey. On account of the battle of Manila Bay Dewey has been paid in bounties s957O, which seems very small compared with the sum paid Admiral Sampson. But, as has been shown, Sampson was paid only sS3s5 in bounties on account of the battle of San tiago alone. Dewey, so far as the courts have yet held. made no captures, but a case of his involving three vessels alleged to have been captured at Manila, and, therefore. prize Is now before the Dis trict Court of Appeals.
 In order to make this point clear the following statement is made of the prize money paid to Admiral Sampson. This money was paid him on account of the Dolores, s21.47; Argonauta. $1223.OS; Fras- Qultd, 9oAist9s lIoHllilBO AuTelld, S0l A, Amapaia, s45.76; Candita, $23. 4S; Ambrosia Bolivar. s310. 35; Belle Ynez, $7.14 Chris tina, $3.1t; Angedita, s6.96; Matilde, SAT 22; Mascota, $2.31; Guido. $3S9O.4s; Pedro, $54S0.sS; Carlos F. Roses. s406.67; steel lighter. s22s 49; Lorenzo. s535.9O; Galite, $l-.20; Benito Estender. s32S.53; Adula, 5000: total, s14,132.44.
 In addition to the foregoing sums Samp- son was paid approximately $2100 bounty for Spanish vessels destroyed at Manga nillo and Napa Bay. In these minor en- agreements Admiral Schley did not par ticipate.
 Admiral Oewey, having participated in only one battle. naturally comes off less we'll than Sampson, who had a share in several engagements Sampson will re- ceive a small sum additional on account of the Maria Teresa, Dewey may get larger one still when the courts decide whether the Spanish vessels which were raised after the battle of Manila Bay are to be regarded as prizes.
 
 REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.