The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-09-13

Schley court of inquiry today it was an
nounced that Rear Admiral H. l.. Howl
son was disqualified from serving as
member of the court and was excused
from further duty. This brought pro-
ceedings to an abrupt termination and
caused a temporary adjournment of the
court in order to permit the navy de-
partment to designate an officer to sue
ceed Admiral Howison.
1t had been expected that little official
business would be accomplished on the
opening day and the prompt decision as
to Admiral II )WiSon came somewhat as
q surprise.
Prior to the courts convening a good
sized crowd assembled at the Washington
navy yard, where the court meets, 10
witness the coming of the prominent ma
val officers who were to take part in the
proceedings.
hey were ununiformed and unheralded
and until the full dress uniform had
been donned inside the quarters set aside
for the actual sessions of the court, there
was nothing dramatic to the session. Ad-
miral Dewey and Admiral Schley were
naturally the principal figures in popular
interest. The latter had about him a
distinguished party of counsel, including
Jere Wilson, Attorney General Isidor
Rayner, of Maryland; Capt. James Par
ker, with Mr.. league acting as advi-
sorry counsel. The German naval at
tache, Capt. Reuber-Pashwitz, occupied
one of the seats in the public area, and
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 open-
ing of the proceedings at l o'clock. The
usual formalities on the opening of
court were transacted with dispatch.
HOWISON CHALLENGED
The first skirmish was opened by Ad-
miral Schley, rising from his seat and
speaking in strong voice, calmly and de-
liberately. challenging Admiral Howl
sons eligibility as a member of the
court. Three witnesses were brought
forward in support of this challenge,
namely, Mr.. Francis S. Frost, Mr. Will
liam z. Spon and Mr. Foster Nichols
They gave very positive evidence as 20
expressions they had heard Admiral
Howison make, favorable to Admiral
Sampson and unfavorable to Admiral
Schley. Mr.. Frost testified to state
ment Admiral Howison had made to him
at Boston, while the witness was seek
ing news as a reporter. Mr.. Spon testi-
fed to remarks made while he and the
admiral were journeying back to this
country from Europe on a transatlantic
steamer and Mr.. Nichols conversation
occurred during a business call at Ad-
miral Howison's private residence at
Yonkers, Ny.
On concluding this testimony, the ques-
tion arose whether Admiral Howison
would join issue with the statements
made by the witnesses or would rest on
his privilege to withhold any answer un-
til he chose to submit it.
MAKES WRITTEN REPLY.
The admiral met the issue by turning
at once to Admiral Dewey and announce
ing that he would make writ of re-
joinder to the statements of the three
witnesses. This rejoinder he prepared
very speedily. While conceding the ac-
curacy of some points in the evidence
It threw considerable doubt on other
points and disclaimed any recollection of
the talks said to have taken place on
the transatlantic steamer
IT was not sufficient however, to coua-
teract the very direct testimony given
by the three witnesses, and moreover
the admiral himself in concluding his
Y statement indicated plainly that he had
no desire to remain on the court and
was there simply in obedience to or
ders He even appealed to his asso-
ci&te on the court to decide all doubt
ful questions as to his eligibility in favor
Of Admiral Schley.
Before submitting the challenge to the
determination of the court Mr. Rayner
cross-eXamined Admiral Howison very
minutely as to his personal sentiments
towards Admiral Sampson and Admiral
Schley and developed that Admiral
Hcwison had expressed certain definite
convictions as to Admiral SIMPSONS re-
tention of authority and responsibility
even while he was absent temporarily
from the fleet at Santiago. The chal-
lengc then was submitted tc the court
which, under the circumstances, was
narrowed to Admiral Dewey and Rear
Admiral Benham to pass upon.
HOWISON EXCUSED
After hardly more than fifteen minute.
spent in retirement to the consultation
room of the court Admiral Dewey brief
~ announced that the court sustained tn,
challenge, and that Admiral Howiso1
wculd be excused from further attend
ance The decision came so quickly ant
unexpectedly that it sent fiutter of ag
itation throughout the court room. Their
was a buzz of animated comment AM
Admiral Schley exchanged looks of salts
factionFwith his counsel. Admiral Dewe,
then at once closed the proceedings O
The day by announcing that the cour
would adjourn indefinitely until the nav,
department had named an officer to sue
ceed Admiral Howison. No further ses
sion of the court is probable until tn
carly part of next week
THE TRIAL IN DETAIL.
1t had been expected that there woul
be an early rush on the part of tn
Washington public to secure seats 70
the Schley inquiry, which began at tn
Washington navy yard today but Will
there We're more than the usual numbe
of people stirring about the navy var
where the inquiry is to be held this fore
noon. the pressure for places was by II
means as strong as had been expected
From an early hour in the day ther
were a few stFagglers in the grounds
At O'clock, when the court was calle