Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-11-14
RAYNER'S ARGUMENT
Schley's Counsel Makes a Brilliant
Speech Before the Naval Court
AFFECTING EULOGY OF The ADMIRAL
Both Dewey and His Two Assistants Con-
graduate Mr.. Rsyner on His Speech
Capt Lemly to Begin the Closing
Argument This Afternoon.

washington, NoV' ''-lho cHlh"A
Of the Schley court Of inquiry came
yesterday afternoon when MIR. Ray.
ner, the chief counsel for Admiral
Schley, concluded a brilliant argu-
ment of over three hours with q
peroration SO eloquent and impas-
stoned that all within the sound OF
his voice were profoundly touched.
This remarkable trial, he said, sought
to condemn the man who bad brought
to a successful termination as great
naval triumph as was ever won.
In vivid colors he painted the picture
Of the Brooklyn, with Commodore
Schley on the bridge, fighting the en-
tire Spanish fleet until the Oregon
appeared out Of the smoke. The
thunders of the Brooklyn, music for
the ears Of his countrymen, he said,
aroused Admiral Schley's envious
foes lie pictured the victorious
sailor suffering as few have suffered
for long years, while the fires Of per-
secution leaped around him, and now
awaiting the hour Of his vindication
in the verdict of the court. "And
when it comes" he concluded, "he
can, from the high and exalted posi-
ton that he occupies, look down upon
his traducers and maligners and with
excellent pride exclaim: 4 care not
for the venomous gossip Of clubs,
drawing-rooms and cliques and the
poisoned shafts of envy and malice.
I await under the guidance Of Divine
Providence the verdict of posterity.'"
The scene in the court room as he
finished with those words was thrill
ing. The attendance had been large
all day, and at the morning session
a lady had tainted from excitement.
As Mr.. Rayner began his eulogy of
Admiral schley those in the audience,
many of whom were ladies, leaned
forward in their seats. The spell OF
his oratory was over then, and when
he described the admirars gallant
deeds and the long persecution to
which he had been subjected many
of them broke down and wept. The
members of the court displayed evil
dences of emotion and Admiral Schley
himself was plainly moved. He sat,
leaning back, with his hands behind
his head. His chin twitched, and as
his counsel said he could afford to
await the verdict of posterity, two
big tears rolled down his cheeks.
lie moved uneasily to conceal his
emotion and, under the pretense OF
adjusting his glasses brushed the
tears aside. For full 80 seconds after
Mr.. Rayner closed there was not a
sound. Then the tension broke in a
loud burst of applause.
Admiral Dewey, after about a half
minute, arose to remind the specta-
tors that such a demonstration was
out of place. A moment afterward
The court adjourned, the Judge advo-
cate pleading that he could not well
90 on. Then another remarkable
thing happened. As soon as the gavel
fell the entire audience surged for
ward to shake the hands of Admiral
Schley and Mr.. Rayner. But the
oncoming spectators fell back u mo-
ment as they saw Admiral Dewey and
his two assistants move around the
table, as II by a common impulse
and congratulate Admiral Schley and
his counsel. Even Capt. Lemly, the
Judge advocate, came forward to joir
in the congratulations. Then the
public had its inning, and for Is min
; utes after the court adjourned Ad
miral schley and Mr.. Rayner were
!. kept busy shaking hands.
/, Mr.. Rayner's argument yesterda,
consumed the whole day of the court
r except for half an hour at the open
! ing, which Capt, Parker, his associate
counsel, occupied in concluding. Mr.
Rayner took up the specifications on
by one, reserving those relating t.
the retrograde movement until tn
= last. So far as he was able to do 81
he used the testimony of the depart
ment's witnesses to prove his conten
tons. With regard to the retrograd
movement, which he discussed wit
!. greater seriousness than the othe
specifications, he adduced in justihct
. ton not only oil Admiral Schley' ret
IS IS sons for believing the Spanish flee
i, was not in Santiago, but argued tina
!, every officer charged with the n
,e sponsibility Of command necessaril
j must be clothed with discretion
~ carrying out instructions. He di
ID played good temper in adverting
d the testimony Of most of the officer
d ., especially the ranking officers WI
to seemed to contradict his client, 81
4 ing them in each case credit for hol
ne esty of purpose. But, with few,
n dealt unsparingly. Hood, Potts al
n Bristol he held up to ridicule.
ch Capt. Lemly will begin the closir
M argument this afternoon, as the cou
p. did not hold session this morning.
.rt
Washington, Nov. S.-After 81
tinps covering 40 days and with