Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1901-08-01
INQUIRY IS ORDERED
Final Outcome of the Sampson.SchIey
Controversy.
AN INVESTIGATION IS TO FOLLOW
Admiral Dewey VIII Likely Preside
Over the Court That VIII Pass Upon
the Merits of the Controversy.

the Merits of the Controversy.
Washington, d. c., Specal.-Secre
tary Long Wednesday morning receiv.
cd letter from Rear Admiral Schl4v
calling attention to the criticisms
against him which are contained IN
Maclay's History of the Navy and the
innuendOes which have appeared ir
the press for several days, and stating
that, in his opinion, the time had now
come to take such action as would
bring the entire matter under the clear
and calm review of his brothers in
arms. He asked that the Department
take such action as was deemed best
to accomplish this purpose. He also
requested that whatever action be ia
ken should occur in washington.
where his papers and data are stored.
The Secretary Immediately decided ID
comply with Admiral Schley's request
and dictated letter to the rear admi-
raj, saying that under the circumstar-
ccs he heartily approved of his action
and that the Department would p1o-
ceed at once in accordance with his re-
quest. Admiral Schleys letter is as
follows:
Great Neck, Long Island, N. Y, July
q, 1901
Sir: Within the past few days a Sc,
ries Of press comments have been sent
to oe
try of a book entitled The History Of
the Navy written by one Edgar Stan
ton MacIay
From these reviews it app aars that
this edition is third volume of the
sad history extended to include the
late war with Spain, which The two
first volumes did not contain, and were
in use as textbooks at the Naval
Academy.
g From excerpts quoted in some re-
views, III which the page and para
graph are given, there is such perver-
sion Of facts, misconstruction OF inten-
ton. such Incorporate abuse and dc
famation of myself as subjects Mr.
MAJ Lay " dCIIOl III civil law. w ME
admit the right Of fair criticism cr
every public officer, l must protest
against the low filings and abusive lan-
guagc Of this violent, partisan Cppo-
nent, who has infused into the pages
of his book 50 much Of the malice OF
Unfatrness as to make it unworthy the
name Of history or Of use IN any rep
1It9Hlr DStlfntinO Nf tho
% have refrained heretofore from
all comment upon the innucndoos OF
enemies muttcred CT murmured in Sc
crot and therefore with safety to them
selves l think the time has now come
to take such action as may bring this
entire matter under discussion under
the clearer and calmer review Of nv
brothers in aims, and to this end l ask
such action at the hands OF the De-
partment as it may deem best to ac-
complish this purpose.
"4 But l would express the request
in this connection that whatever the
action may be that it occur in Wash
ington where most Of C1y papers anl
data are stored
Every respectfully,
"W. s. SCHLEY,
Rear Admiral U. S. N.
ITO the Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, d. c.
Secretary Long replied to Admiral
SchIey as follows:
Navy Department. Washington, July
a
Sir: | am in receipt OF yours of he
end inst, with reference to the crit
lSIrsm upon you in connection with the
Spanish-Amer!Can war, and hear;i
approve Of your action, under the cr-
eumstanCes, in asking at the hands of
this Department such action as may
bring this entire matter under discus
s!oa under the clearer and calmer re-
view Of my brothers in arms The De-
partment will at once proceed in &C.
Cordance with your request.
VERY respectfully,
JOHN D. LONG.
Rear Admiral w. s. Schley, L. S. M
Secretary Long acted without con-
suItation with any one and without
communicating the request Of Admiral
Schley to the President He then cal
ed into his Office Rear Admiral
Crowninshield and Captain Cowles
chief and assistant respectively, of the
Bureau Of Navigation, also Judge Ad-
'ONdIe TSue1 ol lJSuily, VINO HIS CIdtE Z
OF formaSties Of naval courts. He
also sent for Admiral Dewey
Although Rear Admiral Schley did mt
ask specifically for a court Of inquiry.
but left the action to be taken to the
Judgment Of the Department. tho Sec
retary decided that such court would
be the best means Of making the inve5-
tigation which the rear admiral hal
requested the three bureau officers |
were called in for the purpose of dis |
cuSS'ns the mode OF procedure in SUCH |
N"Se2' Alter his conference with Ad- |
mlIal Dewey, Who had responded i'm |
mediately to the Secretarv's reou :.
for an interview, the Secretary caid |
that he had not had time to decide |
upon the composition of the court hit !
in response to a question as to whether |
Admia al Dewey would serve upon a |
court, if requested to do 50, the Secre, |
tary said admiral Dewey will do his
duty" Although no positive declara
ton has been given on this point, 1t is
assumed about the Navy Department
that Admiral Dewey will be president
of the court which will inquire into
the whole controversy concerning Ad-
miral Schley's actions during the
Spanish war.
Belgian Minister to Retire.