Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-07-26
DEWEY TOPRES|DE OVER
THE COURT Of INQUIRY.
THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE REAR
ADMIRALs KIMBERLY AND BEN
HAM, BOTH RETIRED.
COURT MEETS SEPTEMBER IL.
THREE MEN WITH GOOD RECORDS
AND NO INTEREST IN THE
CONTROVERSY


board of inquiry wh.ch is TO investigate
the controversial points in connection
with Admiral Schleys conduct dur
ing the Spanish war. will be eompos-
ed of Admiral Dewey, president of the
court. and Rear Admirals Lewis A.
Kimberly and Andrew e. X. Benham
the court will meet at the navy de-
partment in Washington, Septembe,
18th. Secretary Long announced
these facts to-day. The judge advo>
cate of the court has not yet been Sc
lected. and the precept to the court,
which is being prepared by Captain
Lemly. judge advocate general, has
not yet been completed.
The scope OF the inquiry will not be
known until the precept and order for
the converting of the court are issued
1t is expected that they will be pro-
mulgated by the department to-mor-
row. Secretary Long says. however,
that the proceedings of the court will
be open and that the widest latitude
will be permitted in the matter of wit
nesses, and that Rear Admiral Schley
will be allowed to be represented by
counsel.
The secretary had nothing TO say
about the composition of the court ex-
cept that he thought it spoke for it
self. and to express the nope that the
members chosen would be satisfactory
to all concerned. He pointed out that
none of the officers chosen had so far
as ne knew, expressed an opinion con-
corning what is known as the Samp-
son-Schley controversy. and it was
therefore to be presumed that they
would enter upon their work in an
impartial and unprejudiced spirit.
The members of the court are dis
tinctively fighting men. Each has
been connected with celebrated event
In naval annals OF Admiral Dewey,
the hero OF the battle of Manila bay,
1t is unnecessary to speak. His record
Is familiar to all His associates, Rear
Admiral Kimberly and Rear Admiral
Benham, are both retired officers.
The former was retired in 1892 and
the latter in 1894. Admiral Kimberly
is II years of age and Admiral Ben
ham So years. Each saw over 40
wears of active service Both had fine
records during the civil war.
The great event with which Admiral
Klmberly's name is associated is the
destruction OF the American feet in
the harbor of Apia, Samoa, during the
| terrific hurricane, which occurred
| there in 1889. Admiral Kimberly had
| been sent to Samoa at the head of an
American squadron during the trying
! period OF our negotiations with Ger
many there, and had conducted him
self before the storm with marked
dignity and ability. When the hurri-
cane occurred his entire squadron was
wrecked. The Vandalia and Trenton
were destroyed, and the Nipsic was
cast ashore. The story of that great
disaster and the heroism displayed by
the American. officers and men under
the direction of Admiral Kimberly
| thrilled the whole world. and made an
| impression never to be forgotten.
Admiral Benham played a dramatic
yra RI NJ Rio de IaueirO during the great
naval revolution in 1894, the particu-
| lars of which were recounted few
| days ago.
Secretary Long has rendered to Sam
| c. Lemly, the judge advocate general OF
the navy, the position of judge adyo-
cate of the Schley inquiry. 1t seems
probable that the appointment will be
made.