The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-20
SCHLEY To THE PUBLIC
HIS THANKS FOR MANY EXPRESSIONS
or CONFIDENCE AND ESTEEM.
EXCEPTIONS TOCOURT'S RULIkGS

EXCEPTIONS 0GOURT'S RULlkGS
Through His Counsel the Admiral
Gives the Secretary OF the Navy
Eotice of Intention to File Such
Exceptions, and Asks Delay of APP
prevail of the Report of the Court
Until They can be EfIed-The He
quest Granted-A Statement as to
MacIay's Charges.
Washington, December 16.-Since the
court of inquiry rendered Its verdict
Rear Admiral Schley has received a
large number of letters and kilograms
all containing expressions Of confidence
and esteem, and offers of assistance. To
answer these personally would be q
work of such magnitude that the ad-
miral has addressed the following letter
to the Associated Press which he asks
to be published:
washington. D. c.. December 1a.
ITO the Associated Press:
81 beg to express through the medium
of the Associated Press my gratitude
and heartfelt thanks for the kind words
and evidences OF interest in my welfare
which I have received from all parts OF
the United States. The magnitude of
the correspondence renders 1t impossi-
BILE for me to possibly acknowledge the
same and I, therefore, take this means
of expressing my appreciation to one
and all.
VERY truly yours.
WINFIELD SCOTT
Rear Admiral y. S. N"
Admiral Schley was in consultation
today with his counsel, Hon. Isidor
Rayner and Mr.. A. league, also Gen
eral Felix Agnus, of Baltimore, and
Congressman Schirm. Of Maryland. AZ
ter the conference Admiral Schley au-
thorized Mr.. league to make the fol-
lowing statement:
I'VE have been in consultation as to
what further proceedings shall be TAX
en-. Nothing definite has been deter
mined upon SO far as civil or criminal
action of any kind against Maclay and
his sponsors is concerned. Maclay's
claim that the findings of the court are
a vindication for himself and his book
Is absolutely spurious. There are no
less than half a dozen instances in the
book in which. even IL he were to ac-
SSpL NAC III VI I'm SooAN oAAN 10
corporate them in the volume and
change it to suit the findings, the pook
would still be criminal libel"
Mr.. league. during the afternoon,
presented the following letter to Secre-
tary Long:
washington. D. c., December 16.
"Sir: / hav the honor to most re-
specially request that you withhold
approval from the findings Of the court
of inquiry recently held at the navy
yard in the city of Washington, of
which Admiral George Dewey was pres
jdent. until such time as I may have an
opportunity to file a statement of OBJ
j~ections thereto. and I, therefore. re-
quest that you do not dissolve the
until action shall have been taken on
such objections.
Very respectfully,
"W. S. SCHLEY,
Rear Admiral L. S. N.
"ISIDOR RAYNER,
Counsel for the applicant before
said court of inquiry"
T The Hon Secretary of the Navy"
Mr.. league asked the secretary to in
dictate his probable action in the premi-
ses. The secretary replied that the re-
quest would be granted and his action
in the findings and the dissolution of
the court withheld until the objections
were received and he had an opportuni-
~ W . liz SldlCu that lie
would communicate with Admiral
Schley in writing n asked how long
a time counsel desired in which to
present their objections. Mr.. league
replied that they would be ready for
presentation by Thursday or Friday of
this week.
w will except to the findings of the
court" and Mr.. league, land make a
demand that the majority opinion be
di~sapproved by the secretary as con-
trary to the evidence and the pertinent
facts in the case which the court has
not considered nor acted upon"
While Mr.. Treague would not say that
such action would be taken, he pointed
out the fact that they could appeal from
he secretary's action to the president
Of the United States.
Later in the day Secretary Long &C
knowledged. in a formal letter, the re-
ceipt of the request from Admiral
Schley for permission to file a bill of
objections. The s~ecretary's esponsa
was brief and purely formal; 1t granted
the request n allowed until Friday
next. in which to submit the bill.
Admiral Schley has been relieved
from further duty in connection with
the court of inquiry.
Admiral Dewey. president of the
court, today was asked for a statement
as to the extent to which he endorsed
the findings of the majority of the
court. 81 have not a word to say," he
replied. o a word"