The San Francisco call., 1901-11-07
wv 7ASHINGTON, Nov. 6-The
M M \ climax of the Schey court of
WW inquiry came this afternoon,
V V when Mr.. Raynor, the chief

wv OASHINGTON, Nov 6.-The
N IN climax of the Schley court of
WW inquiry came this afternoon,
V V when Mr.. Raynor, the chief
counsel for Admiral Schley,
concluded a brilliant argument OF over
three hours with a peroration so eloquent
and impassioned that all within sound OF
his voice were profoundly touched
This remarkable trial, he said, sought to
condemn the man who had brought to Il
successful termination as great a naval
triumph as was ever won. In vivid colors
he painted the picture of the Brooklyn,
with Commodore Schley OH the bridge,
fighting the entire 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. He pic
tured the victorious sailor suHerlng as
few have suffered for three long years
while the fires of persecution leaped
around him and now awaiting the hour of
his vindication in the verdict OF the court.
And when ii comes, he concluded, he
can, from the high and exalted position
that he occupies, look down upon mis- ira
ducers And malIgners and with pride eX-
claim 1 care not for the venomous gos-
sip OF clubs, drawing and cliques,
and the poisoned shafts of envy and
malice. 1 await under the guidance OF
Divine Providence the verdict OF pos
terity.'
The scene in the court room as he fin
ished with these words was thrillIng. The
attendance had been large all day and
at the morning session a lady had tainted
his euIogy of Admiral Schley those in the
audience, many of whom were ladies,
leaned forward in their seats. The spell
of his OratOry was over them and Wnen
he described the admirals gallant deeds
and the long persecution to which he had
been subjected many of them broke down
and WeDt.
The members of the court displayed evil
dence of emotion and Admiral Schley him
self 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 pos
terity tears rolled down his cheeks. He
moved uneaslly to conceal his emotion
and, under the pretenSe of adjusting his
glasses brushed the tears aside. For fully
thirty seconds after Mr.. Raynor closed
there was not sound. Then the ten
sion broke in a loud burst Of applause.
Admiral Dewey, after about half min
ute, arose to remind the spectators that
such a demonstration was out of place.
moment afterward the court adjourned,
the judge advocate pleading that he
could not well go on to-day.
Then a remarkable thing happened. AS
soon as the gavel fell the entire audience
surged forward to shake the hands of
Admiral Schiey and Mr.. Raynor.1 But the
on-coming spectators fell back a moment
as they saw Admiral Dewey and his two
assistants move around the as IL
by a common impulse, and congratulate
Admiral Schley and his counsel. Even
Captain Lemly, the judge advocate,
Joined in the congratulations. Then the
public had its inning and for fifteen min
utes after the court adjourned Admiral
Schley and Mr.. Raynor were kept busy
shaking hands.
Argument for Schley.
Raynors argument consumed the whole
day of the court, except for a half hour
at the opening which Captain Parker, his
associate counsel, occupied in concluding.
RaynoT took up the specifications one by
one. IeSerVing those relating to the retro
grade movement until the last. So far
as he was able to do so he used the tes-
timony of the departments witnesses to
prove his contentious. With regard to the
retrograde movement, which he discussed
with greater seriousness than the other
specifications, he adduced in justification
not only all of Admiral Schley's reasons
for believing the Spanish fleet was not in
Santiago, but argued that every officer
taxed with the responsibility of command
necessarily must be clothed with diScre-
tion in carrying out instructions. He dis
played good temper in adverting to the
testimony of most of the officers, especial
ly the ranking officers who seemed to
contradict his case, giving them in each
case credit for honesty of purpose. But
with a few he dealt unsparingly. Wood,
Potts and Bristol he held up to ridicule.
gument tomorrow afternoon, as the court
ing.