Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1901-12-21
ScnLEY, THE heROi

The decision of the naval board
appointed to examine the charges
of cowardice aud disobedience of
orders made by Maclay against
Rear Admiral Schley have been
made public, and II 10 one of the
most infamous decisions in our ma.
val history. The majority report.
made by the two rear .admirals.
finds Schley guilty on II technical
counts, while Admiral Dewey ell.
tirely exonerates him from all
blame, and goes much further by
broadly aud boldly stating that
: Schley was the COMMANDERS chief
of the naval forces at the battle of
Santiago. and is entitled to all the
credit of that glorious victory.
The facts are just these: A pin.
headed barnacle named Long, who
10 Secretary of the Navy, in trying
to boost Rear Admiral Sampson.
thought he must destroy the repu-
tation of Rear Admiral Schley.
Long owned and controlled a. lick.
spittle named Maclay, who wrote
text book for the naval academy al
Annapolis. and ia his text book de-
nounced Schley as a coward at San
tiago, giving Sampson, (who was 30
miles AWAY all the credit of the
victory. This text book was read
by both Sampson and Long and ap.
proved by both of them. Schley de-
inanded an official an official exam.
animation of the facts aud u board
was appointed by Long. with the
exception of Dewey, who was put
ON by President Mckinley.
After three months investigation
two of the board find Schley guilty
mot of cowardice, as charged; but
af little trifling minor offenses and
errors in judgment, such as other
commanders have made aud will
make Ia the end of time. He DISC
beyed some trifling orders from the
board of admiralty; he stopped too
long at one place and not long
enough at another; he was too
careful of his coal supply; he did
not go into the coming tower Ia
time of battle; he failed to put his
fleet into the narrow fortified chan.
mel of the harbor of Santiago; he
said "damn" to the Texas; he sank
the entire Spanish feet before
Sampson could get there; he re.
ceived the congratulations and ap.
probation of the American people;
he has been honored by svery civil.
ixeAs nation ON earth; he did not
write for magazines; he didn't kiss
All the old maids In Kansas City: he
divided the honors of victory with
all the officers and men of his fleet.
OF these things he stands guilty,
and in the estimation of q few mar.
r0w-minded officials his reputation
should be blasted and himself de.
prived of all the houors and emolu.
meuts dues great naval hero.
Bat In the true history of naval
hSttles, Winfield Scott Schley will
Sfnnd with Nelson, aud Dewey, and
tGrragut, and Paul Jones, and Per-
~. while Sampson, and Chadwick,
and Long, and Maclay, and Potts,
viIi eiuk into iguominious oblivion.
There are few naval or military he
roes but have at some time failed
to obey orders. One of our great
victories of the civil war was won
in spite of orders to the contrary.
Earragut at Mobile was ordered tot
stay outside for fear of torpedoes.
buf he said damn the torpedoes"
ana went in. At Copenhagen when
HeIsou had victory within his
1knsp, he was informed. that the
In Chief was signaling
for him 70 withdraw. II am blind
IN one eye" said Nelson and sailed
IN and wiped mp the entire Dutch
fieet II is not orders that make
heroes, bat victories. The winners