Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-08
THE SCHLEY COURT
Its Public Sessions Ended Yesterday
Afternoon.
MEMBERS TO TAKE Up EVIDENCE
At Least Two Weeks Before De-
cision Will Be Reached.
MIR. RAY n R r A L K S
MEMBERS TO TAKE Up EVIDENCE
MR.. RAYN ER tai K S

MIR. RAY n Err IA L K S
The public sessions of the SchIey court OF
inquiry came to end at $40 o'clock yes
terday afternoon just as Judge Advocate
LemIy had finished his presentation OF
the case for the Navy Department The
closing scenes of the court were devoid OF
sensational Incidents of any sort. After
Admiral Dewey had announced the adj
journment the members of the court and
counsel on either side INDUCED in a brief
era of cordiality. Hands were shook most
heartily and good-byes said, and while
there was a general sense of relief that the
proceedings were at an end, there were
also expressions INDUCED in to the effect
that the personal relations established and
maintained during the forty days which
the court has been sitting made the part
ing an occasion of regret.
Work of the COnrt.
Although the hearing of witnesses and
argument before the court have been termi-
Tated. the work of the members of the
court has by no means ceased. That body
will HOW take up the evidence, which has
been compiled into a printed volume of
about 1000 pages, and go over 1t again in
d most careful manner. This work will
be done in executive sessions of the court,
which are to be held in rooms in the Nc
Lean building, Fl street and Vermont ave-
nue. northwest. The first meeting for this
purpose will be held Monday, when the
court will decide regarding the amount of
time each day which is to be given to the
work. Those who are familiar with the
case estimate that it will be at least two
three weeks before the decision of the
court is transmitted to the Secretary of
the Navy. 1t is understood that the public
will get its information of the finding of the
court from this source.
Today the effects of the court are being
transferred from the gunners' work shop
in the navy yard to the uptown quarters.
The court will ask the Navy Department
10 supply it with clerical assistants and
Stenographer to do the mechanical work
Involved in the preparation of the report.
In order that the court may absolutely con-
troll such assistants il is probable that re-
course will be had to men in the naval
service, such yeOmen, who are subject
/" naval discipline.
Admiral Schley will remain in Washing
ton until the verdict of the court has been
rendered All of the members of his coun-
sci however, have gone to their respective
homes MIR. Rayner has a large law prac-
Iice in Maryland. and many important
cases have been postponed during his stay
iu this city. He will rest until next week.
When he will be engaged in the trial of a
suit involving several million dollars.
Captain Lemiy, the judge advocate of the
Schley court of inquiry, has gone to Kan
sas city. Mo, to attend the meeting of the
National Prison Association, in which he is
interested by reason of the fact that he Is
specially charged with the conduct Of the
naval prisons at Boston, Norfolk and else
where.
Captain Parker. also a member of Ad-
miral Schley's counsel, has gone to his
home in New Jersey, and will resume his
law practice in New York
Mr.. Rayner's Impressions.
After arriving at his home in Baltimore
last night, hfr. Rayner was interviewed re-
garding the opinion of both court and
counsel formed by him during his stay in
this city. He said:
so far as the court was concerned, 1t
was admirably constituted. / cannot speak
with too much praise of Admiral Dewey
and of his colleagues, Admirals Benham
AID Ramsay. The quick and eminently
just decisions upon some of the most en-
barrassing questions Of law that arose al
most every day were simply phenomenal.
Admiral Dewey told me he came from a
family of jurists and that ne had heard a
great deal of law before going to sea. This
was in answer to my question as to how
h. could decide so readily upon technical
questions of law. I had no idea that the
hero of Manila had the qualifications of a
great judge without perhaps ever having
read law book.
Admiral Benham piled the witnesses
with the most pointed questions every
branch of the inquiry. The intelligent face
room. as for eight long weeks, with I'M
abated attention he riveted his mind upon
every word OF the testimony. These three
men are remarkable l can never forget
them. [ told them today that while l was
heartily glad the case was over, l parted
with every one of them with the deepest
feelings OF regret"
Mr. Rayner was then asked what he
thought OF the counsel for the government
and in reply said
we had one expert, Mr.. NJ. A. league
whose assistance was simply invaluable, and
whose labor has been inceSsant throughout
all the details of this complicated case The
other side had all the resources of the gov
eminent of the United States to draw upon
al a moments notice, and upon call every
thing was at their bidding. from every Off
Ger and subordinate employe of the Navy
Department.
Mr. Hanna. the solicitor in the Judge ad-
yocate generals office, tried the case adj
mirably. AT all times dignified and courte-
Gus, he eyinced marked ability and judicial
Impartiality.
Captain Lemly, the judge advocate gem
eral. had an exceedingly delicate duty to
perform. He was personally very friendly
to Admiral Schley, and 1t fell upon him to
conduct this case against him. He acted
wit a becoming degree of impartiality, /
believe.
Lieut.. Wards Work.
Lieutenant Ward was the genius of the
prosecution. If L may call the trial by that
name for want of a better one. This Young
lieutenant and brave and fearless officer
furnished the munitions and resources of
war To the opposition. There was not a
POINT In the case with which ne was not
thoroughly familiar. He had already writ
ten up in the government appendix the
whole history of the Spanish-American war
ana kilograms. orders. documents reports
and charts We're all collected in his mind
and produced by him at moments notice.
Hhe Navy Department made no mistake
when they selected him for the work
ar frfIRr g-f.ArN ,If
make upon those connected with him In the
case was then asked of Mr. Rayner. He
replied:
He could make but one impression. He
Is as brave and fearless a man as ever
breathed the fire of battle. He Is great in
every quality that constitutes greatness In
ShIS battle or words and thoughts he stood
as steadfast as he did in the battle Of daeIs
al Santiago. His presence, his firm conyic-