The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1901-09-05
REAR ADMIRAL H(|N|g)N.
A Manly Letter From the Gallant
Old Sallor In Regard to
Current Reports.
Is sul sIyra 10 PUBLIC uTTtHAHcEs,
He viii Net sHy Thns He Has Net
Discussed. wish Acquaintance.
Cwrremt Subjects, But sisciaina
Responsibility For the Alleged
EntersIew Ks Pubiisbed.

Washington. aug. 3i.--Acting secre-
tary of tss Navy Hackctt has made
public personal correspondence he
tween Rcar-Admiral Howison and
himself la relation 20 the fitness of
thr admiral 80 serve on the court OF
inquiry, Admiral lIowison having con
scented that his personal letter should
bc given 10 she public.
\ copy OF Rear-Admiral Howison's
letter hah been sent TO Rear-AdmirBl
Schley. The correspondence is M fol-
lows.
yonkerr. N. y. Aug a. 1901. Dear Sir
] saye iust returned TO my hume after q
shoFt visit 90 SafttnEa and Lake George.
owing tn my detail 40 a Inetnber OF the
court OF inquiry, ordered 90 meet on Sep
tamber Y next. | ana that many newNpa-
pnf~ are giving me credit for having
served ms country iu the United Esa5uH
navy for nearly halt century with
huncr
see niso that nm thought TO he Oh.
lectionabis an a narmler of lhir court pf
inquiry. II being stated that publicly e1-
pressed opinions on the conduct Of the
battle 81 Santiago, while serying ~ c1fd-
~ aftsr ihs result of that engagement
was known. ] believe the service knows.
as ! do. that l 10 not attempt 10 make
public speeches, write for magazines of
papers or MAKE public uitrrances CA
utyai pr other subiects,
II has been irupoTpibie for me 20 avoid
the visits and auestiouA OF representa-
tivea fp- urwapapcrB while serving at IN
pottant stations. ond az times when th"
naNy has been 10 husily employed.
The letter here refers Ia the writ
era pleasant rclationz with ncwSpa
per men at Mare Island. Boston and
other stations, and continues nS fol.
lows:
when the news of our nAvy's success
| AT Mantle aud again al Santiago reached
| Buston. the people there were not be-
| hind the test OF ths United States Is Civ
| lnE honor AMI praise TO the navy ana To
| the comma aBdcfa-iu chiefs NJ the fi-stH
THE enthusiasm OF the population In
| engaged az Santiago lasted fur some time,
| Until later. wnen ghs troubles commences
40 60 who're the credit and hanors should
| go for the success OF this engagement
| III r. no news tu the navy to say that
| where all do tncir duties The iirst hon
/ pfn for success so 20 the officers ~ chirt
| command. Censure for failure also be-
| longs 10 him.
This newspaper cutting In question
| ntAinA a statement Ia which II " said
| that I ~ adg c0mrnrtson between schiey
1
THE word respected as used by the
| reporter, is seldom or never employed by
| navy men ~ comparing the qualities pos
Fessed By officers, and am sure J could
| never have said this an he reports. nor
sAid that Sehley had the reputation of be.
ing nervous and hotheadsd In the nava'
/ uchdsmy.
"one may say an officer stands higher
/ IN his class. IL true: another may Etaad
/ higher in scientific attainmeniH, while an
other be distinguished for eminent diplo-
taa,iC end social qualities, while all under
discussion are Of good standing aud pro-
aeient in their necessary professional cali
| inF
| man representing tho Boston Record and
| don't approve OF his public statement as
| mine | car not k8Y that have not dis
| cui sed with aeanAintnnceE matters pub
lished In the new spApers relating 10 our
| nayy'K success as well az the unfortunate &c
| Disputes 30 widely commented on.
There are few or no persons In the
navy 0r IN our country who have not
| daily discussed these newspaper articles.
| From the pApeJs II appears that Ad-
niiral schiey has strong doubts as 20 my
| fitness to fairly judEe thiH case with Aa-
| miraIa Dewey and Henhafu.
| "As Il tr a caHe Of grave importance to
| those concerned and to the country, ] am
| desiruus of giving my little help TO clear
| away the troubles.
tine duties Of members OF courts-tnaT-
iiais and ceurts Of inquiry are not sought
| of desired by officers.
| while teei ntEbtS honoFed ht tHt &c
| paftmtuts selection OF myself for this
! duty It IL anything but a pleasant tuak
| TO sit ia Judgment on brother officers.
However, the honor Of the selection
nor the unpieaHantnrsE of court duties de-
not enter Into the TsaHons for my HOW
Writing to- say TO you, personally, thFet
| thinRR. via
"FtrHt. To Fcassure you that ] am not
| responsible for and did not give out such
| an interview such as rs alleged in the
dispg tch from Horton ana as stated tl
/ the newspapers to have been mentioned
by Admiral schlcy IN a recent letter "a
the department,
Second H. however, the department
| feels that the cause Of the navy and oi
| Justice viii he better served by relieving
me from duty on the court, am entirely
| ready 10 withdraw voluntarily. or q
have the department relieve me upon tis
own Initiative.
Third. H. on the other hand. the de-
parsment knowing all the circumstances
desires that l should perform the duty,
| am entirely ready 10 puFtorm II, and can
| rpon my conscience and OATH do my Outs
| aa member of the court without pat
/ tiaIity' as the law requires.
| Yours sincerely and respectfully,
] lsIRnedl I'll L. H0WtS0N,
''lseHr-Adfnirai. 4. Il. ".
| 'sfIon Frank w Harkett.
1 wHnhBOefaN ID 9"