The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-13
HOWISON IS NOT
 ALLOWED TO SERVE
Schley'S Challenge is Upheld by Dewey and Benham, the Other
 Members of the Court.

Washington. Sept. 12.-Within three hours from the time of converting the schley court of inquiry today, 1t was announced that Rear Admiral Howison was disqualified from serving as mem Der of the court. and was excused from further duty. This brought proceedings to an abrupt termination and caused temporary adjournment of the court in order to permit the Navy Department to designate an officer to succeed Admiral Howison.
 A good sized crowd was assembled at the Washington navy yard where the court meets to witness the coming and going of the prominent naval officers who were to take part in the proceed ings. Admiral Dewey and Admiral Schley naturally were the principal fig- ures in popular interest. The latter had about him distinguished party of coun- sel, including Jare Wilson, Attorney Gen. eraI Isidor Raynor of Maryland. and Captain James Parker, with MT. Teague acting as advisory counsel. The number of wives of naval officers present was noteworthy.
 A salute of seventeen guns in honor of the Admiral of the Navy marked the opening of the proceedings at o'clock. The first skirmish was opened by Admi- ral Schley rising from his seat and speaking in strong voice, calmly and de- liberately. challenging Admiral Howi- sons eligibility as a member of the court.
 Witnesses Support Challenge.
 Three witnesses were brought forward in support of this challenge, namely Francis s. Frost William E. Spon and Foster Nichols. They gave very posi- tive testimony as to expT essions they lad heard Admiral Howison make fa- vorable to Admiral Sampson and unfa vorable to Admiral Schley. MT. Frost testified to a statement Admiral Howl son had ede to him at Boston while tho witness was seeking news as reporter Mir. Spon to remarks made while he anC the Admiral were journeying back tC this country from Europe, and Mr. Mich ollss conversation occurred during | business call at Admiral Howison's pri vate residence at Yonkers, N. Y. Admiral Howison announced that h. would make a writ of retoinder to tn statements of the three witnesses. mi rejoinder he prepared very speedily While conceding the accuracy of som points in the evidence. it threw consider | abla doubt on other points and dis claimed any recollection of the talks sal | to have taken place on the trans-Atlanti steamer.
 It was not sufficient, however, to coun teract the very direct testimony given b | the three witnesses, and, moreover. tn
 Admiral himself, in concluding his state
 ment, indicated plainly that he had n | desire to remain on the court and wa | there simply in obedience to orders. Il even appealed to his associates on tn court to decide all doubtful questions al to his eligibility in favor of Admira | Schley.
 Howison Cross-examined. Before submitting the challenge to th' determination of the court. MT. Haynoi cross-examined Admiral Howtson yer! minutely as to his personal sentiments towards Admiral Sampson and Admira Schley, and developed that Admiral How ison had expressed certain definite con victions as to Admiral Sampsons reten' ton of authority and responsibility, ever while he was absent temporarily from the fleet at Santiago.
 The challenge was then submitted tC the court, which under the circumstance was ndETOWcu lO 0A 0VWOS oAA> Rear Admiral Benham to pass upon. Af ter hardly more than fifteen minutes spent in retirement to the consultation room of the court. Admiral Dewey brief! announced that the court sustained thu | challenge and that Admiral Howisol
 would be excused from further attend | ance.
 The decision came so quickly and un
 expectedly that it sent a fiutter of agi tation throughout the court room Ther'
 was a buzz of animated comment an( Admiral Schley exchanged looks Of sat isfaction with his counsel. Admira
 Dewey then at once closed the proceed | ings of the day by announcing that th' court would adjourn indefinitely until tho Navy Department had named an officer
 to succeed Admiral Howison. No further session of the court Is probable unu
 the early part of next week.
 Convened at II O'clock.
 The court of inquiry which Is to pas
 on the charges against Rear Admiral w | & Schley growing out Of the West In dian campaign and the battle of Sanu | ago Bay, convened at the Washington | Navy Yard at II o'clock today. Neve before in the history of the navy has al | issue been presented of such suprem
 navy. but to the general public; witt | such conspicuous naval figures in tn | foreground of the dtfficultvi others equal