Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-31
A MANLY LETTER
From Admiral H0wison Making
Complete Denial
Of All Alleged Criticisms by Him Of
admiral SchIey.
Oilers 10 Withdraw But Department Will Not
Allow II.

| rotary of the Navy Hackett. today.
| made public the personal correspond
ence between Rear Admiral Howison
| ana himself in relation to the fitness of
| the admiral to serve upon the court of
| inquiry Admiral Howison having con-
| scented that his personal letter shall be
given to the public.
| A copy Of Rear Admiral Howison's
| letter has been sent to Rear Admiral
| Schley. IT is as follows:
| PersonaD - Ashburton avenue. Yon
| kers. y. Y. Aug. "A.
Dear Sir-I have just returned to my
| home after short visit in Saratoga
| ami Lake George.
| Owing to my detail as n member of
| the court of inquiry. ordered to meet.
| Sept. II next, find that many news
| pirriS are giving me credit for having
| served my country in the United States
| navy for nearly half a century with
| honor.
| see also that | am thought to be
| Objectionable as member of this court
of inquiry. it being stated that ! pub
| licly expressed opinions on the conduct
ri The battle of Santiago while serv-
| ing as commandant Of the Boston navy
yard. shortly after the result Of that
| engagement was known.
| | believe the service knows rs | do
that | do not attempt 1" make public
| speeches. write for magazines or pa
Iers. or make public utterances on
naval or othe, subjects.
| II has been Impossible for me to
| avoid the visits and questions of rep
| rcsentatiVes of newspapers Will" Strv-
| ing at important stations and at times
| when the navy has been 50 busily en-
| ployrd.
Ut Mare island during my long ser
| Vitc there. particularly during the
| great railroad strike, the papers con
| tanned many statements said L. have
| icrn obtained in my Office. most if not
| al Of these articles were harmless.
| rada Bile articles on the operations of
| the several naval detachments serving
| Ipr the preservation of law and order.
| Dining ms Two wears service NJ the
| Boston station there was G-idom a day
| passed without receiving visits from
| the representatives of the several f:oS-
| ion papers. and during the Spanish
| American war the navy yard there was
| seldom Wit hout n"WSpaper reporters
| | found them to Er polite and gentle
| manly 1T all times and whatever in
| formation or news | could reasonably
| inpaTt. / gave them.
| have often interpreted to 4 num-
| bcl Of them the laws and regulations If
| the navy b. attempting to answer their
| numerous questions relating 10 The
| duties and responsibilities of the SeV-
| erai grades of officers throughout
| fleet of vessels from the conmandcr-in-
| chief a he Lowest "a the
| crew.
| When the news IF our naVys success
at Manila ana again at Santiago reach
| ed Boston. the people there We're not be
| hind the rest Of the United States in
giving honor and praise to the navy
and to the COMMUNICATIVE chief of the.
| fleets
The enthusiasm of The population in
praise and honor for the officers and
men engaged at Santiago lasted for
| some time until later when the troubles
| commenced as 10 where the credit and
| honors should go for the success Of the
engagement. y
1t is no news to the navy TO say that
| where all do their duties the first hon
ors for success go to the officer in chief
| command. Censure for failure also be-
longs 10 MN.
| These newspaper cuttings in question
| contain Il statement in which it is said
| that | made n comparison between
| Schev and Sampson unfavorabie 20
| Schey. The word 'reSpected' as used
| hv the reporter is seldom or ever en-
| pluyed 10y navy men in comparing the
| Qualities possessed by officers. and
| an sure | could never have said this as
| he reports. nor said that Schley had the
reputation of being nervous and hot
headed in the Naval Academy.
On.. NAV say an officer stands higher
| i'm his class. if true. another may stand
higher in scientific Attachments. while
another may be distinguished for mi
| nent Diplomatic ana social qualities.
While all under discussion are Of good
standing and proficient in their ncces-
Sarv profe sSional calling.
have no record of the gentleman
representing the Boston Record and l
do not approve of his public statement
Us mine | cannot say that | have not
discussed with acquaintances matters
published in the newspapers relating 10
our fayy'S success as we'll ms the unlof-
tunate disputes so widely commented
on There are few or no persons in the
navy or in our country who have not
daily discussed these newspaper arti
cleS.
From the papers il appears that Ad-
miral Schiey has strong doubts as to
my fitness to fairly judge this case
with Admirals Dewey and Penham.
AS it is a case of grave importance
to those concerned and to the com
try I am DESTROYS of giving my little
help to clear away the troubles. The
duties Of members of courtmartal and
courts Of inquiry are not sought or de
sired BY officers. While | feel highly
honored by the departments selection
of myself for this duty, ii is anything
but a pleasant task to sit in Judgment
on brother officers.
However, the honor Of the selection
nor the unpleaSantncsS Of court duties
do not enter into the reasons for my
now writing to say to you, personally,
three things; viz:
/. To reassure you that l am not
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