The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-09-19
HOWISON REFUSED.
Will Not Be Allowed to Serve on tie
Schley Case.
DEWEY AND BENHAM so AGREE.
After Examination of Three Witness
ses Who Testified as to Howison's
UnfavorabIe Comments on Schley.

Washington, D. c., Special-With-
in three hours Of the time Of the con.
vening Of the Schley court Of inquiry
Thursday it was announced that Rear
Admiral Howison was disqualified
from serving as member Of the
court and was excused from further
duty. This brought proceedings to an
abrupt termination and caused a tenn
porary adjournment of the court in
order to permit the Navy Department
to designate an officer to succeed Ad-
miral Howison. No further session Is
probable until the early part of next
week. 1t had been expected that lit
tie official business would be accom-
plished on the opening day, and the
prompt decision as to Admiral Howl
son came quite as a surprise.
Intense interest appeared to be
taken by the public in the proceedings.
and though it was known that only
very limited number Of persons would
be admitted to the court room and.
these by card. a large crowd was as
sembled at the court room to witness
the coming and going Of the promi-
nent naval officers who were to take
part in the proceedings. They came
uniformed and unheralded, and until
the full dress uniforms had been
donned at quarters inside the yard,
for the actual sessions Of the court,
there was little to lend dramatic in
terest to the occasion. Admiral Dewey
and Admiral Schley naturally were
the premier figureS in popular in
terest. That latter had about him a
distinguished array Of counsel, includ-
ing Hon. Jere Wilson, Attorney Cen
eral Isidor Rayner. of Maryland, and
Captain James Parker, with MIR.
league, acting as advisory counsel.
The German naval attache, Capt. Re-
beurpaschwitz. occupied one of the
seats in the public area and the num-
Der of wives of naval officers present
was noteworthy. A salute Of II guns
in honor of the admiral of the navy
marked the opening proceedings at l
o'clock.
The usual formalities on the open
ing of a court were carried out with
dispatch. The first skirmish was
opened by Admiral Schley rising from
his seat and speaking in strong
voice! calmly and deliberately chal-
longing Admiral Howison's eligibility
AS a member of the court. Three wit
nesses were brought forward in sup
port of his challenge, namely, Francis
S. Frost, William E. Spon and Foster
Nichols. They gave very positive test
mony as to expressions they had heard
Admiral Howison make favorable 10
Admiral Sampson and unfavorable to
Admiral Schley. Mr.. Frost testified to
a statement Admiral Howison had
made to him at Boston while the wit
ness was seeking news as reporter.
Mr.. Spon to remarks made while he
and the admiral were journeying back
to this country from Europe on a
trans Atlantic steamer. and Mr.. Mich
OILS a conversation which occurred
during a business call at AdmiraI
Howison's private residence in York
ers. N. Y.
On concluding this testimony. the
question arose whether Admiral Howl
son would join issue with the state
ments made by the witnesses. or
would rest upon his privileges to
withhold any answer until he chose
to submit it. The admiral met the is
sue by turning at once to Admiral
Dewey and announcing that he would
make a written rejoinder to the state
ments of the three witnesses. This re-
ioinder he prepared very speedily.
While conceding the accuracy OF some
points in the evidence, it threw con-
siderable doubt on other points and
disclaimed any recollection of talks
said to have taken palce on the trans
Atlantic steamer. 1t was not suri-
cient, however, to counteract the
direct testimony given by three wit
nesses and moreover. the admiral
himself. in concluding his statement,
indicated plainly that he had no de-
sire to remain on the court and was
there simply in obedience to orders.
He even appealed to his associates on
the court to decide all doubtful ques-
tions as to his eligibility in favor OF
Admiral Schley.
He was in consequence declared
disqualified.