The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1901-09-17
HOWISON REJECTED.
The Admiral Disqualified as a Mem
Der of the Board of Inquiry.
The Navy Department Will Desig-
nate Another officer to Sue
ceed Him-Intense Interest
in the Proceedings,

Washington, Sept. 13.-Within three
hours from the time of converting
the Schley court of inquiry Thursday
it was announced that RI. Adm. How
ison was disqualified from serving as
u member of the court and was eX-
cused from further duty. This
brought proceedings to an abrupt
termination and caused a temporary
adjournment of the court in order
to permit the navy department to
designate an officer to succeed Adm.
HOwison.
1t had been expected that little
official business would be accomplish
ed on the opening day, and the
prompt decision as to Adm. Howison
came somewhat as a surprise.
Intense interest appeared to be
taken by the public in the proceed
ings, and though it was known that
only a very limited number of per-
sons would be admitted to the court
room, and these by card, a large
crowd was assembled at the Washing
ton navy yard, where the court is
sitting, to witness the coming and
going of the prominent naval Off
GERS who were to take part in the
proceedings.
The first skirmish was opened by
Adm. Schley rising from his seat and
speaking in a strong voice, calmly
and deliberately, challenging Adm
Howison's eligibility as a member
of the court. Three witnesses were
brought forward in support of this
challenge, namely, Mr.. Francis S.
Frost, Mr.. William L. Spon and Mr..
Foster Nichols. They gave very
positive testimony as to the express
sions they had heard Adm. Howison
make favorable to Adm. Sampson
and unfacOrable TO Adm. Schley. Mr..
Frost testified to a statement Adm.
Howison had made to him at Boston
while the witness was seeking news
as reporter, Mr.. Spon to remarks
made while he and the admiral were
lourneying back 10 this country from
Europe on a transatlantic steamer,
and Mr.. Nichols conversation oc-
Cured during a business call at Adm.
Howison's private residence at York
ers, n. Y.
Before submitting the challenge to
the determination of the court Mr..
Rayner crOss-examined Adm. Howl
son very minutely as to his personal
sentiments towards Adm. Sampson
and Adm. Schley, and developed that
Adm. HOwison had expressed certain
definite convictions as to Adm. Sanp-
sons retention of authority and re-
sponsibility, even while he was alb
sent temporarily from the fleet at
Santiago. The challenge was then
submitted to the court, which, under
the circumstances, was narrowed to
Adm. Dewey and RI. Adm. Bonham
to pass upon. After hardly more than
l. minutes spent in retirement to the
consultation room of the court. Adm.
Dewey briefly announced that the
court sustained the challenge, and
that Adm. Howison would be excused
from further attendance.
Washington, Sept. Arr. Adm.
Ramsey has been appointed as
member of the Schley court of in
quiry in place of R'r. Adm. Howison,
who was disqualified.
Adm. Ramsey is the immediate pre-
decessor of Adm. Crowningshield as
chief of the navigation bureau of the
navy department. He was appointed
from Pennsylvania to the naval acad-
envy as midshipman in 1850, and his
record in the civil war is full of en-
gagements with the enemy on the
lower Mississippi and Yazoo rivers
and around Fort Fisher and Rich
rnond on the Atlantic coast. He is
&c years old. 1t is impossible now to
predict as to his acceptability to
Adm, Schley as member of the
court. The admiral did not care to
commit himself Friday afternoon.
but referred all inquirers to his
counsel, and as the latter are absent
from Washington, their views can
not be obtained here.
Washington, Sept. 16.-Adm. Dewey
has recalled the notice sent out by
him for the meeting Monday of the
Schley court of inquiry. 1t was in
tended Saturday that the members
should assemble Monday and adjourn
Immediately after adopting resolu-
lions of coincidence, but after con-
sideration Adm. Dewey decided that
the proprieties would be best met by
withdrawing the call. The court will
be assembled as soon as seems proper
after the interment of the late pres
ident at Canton. 1t may resume its
sessions Friday or Saturday of next
week.