The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-26
Circulation Statement.
The Anaire Sampson.


addressed TO his old commander, yester-
day fell like bombsheu in the middle
of the Navy Department ring 1t is re
ported that such a leakage from the
archives astounded Secretary LCng almost
as much as it angered him; but this was
quite unnecessary. Anything in the STATE,
War. and Navy Building, in the way Ct
information or documents. is peculiarly
understood to be at the service Of ciTi-
zens willing to pay the price, and who
have placed themselves en- rapport with
the proper interHRdiaries- A rigid and
frigid investigation is going on; bat II
is doubtful if il viii amount 10 much
Commercialism is quite prevalent IN
The executive as in the legislative or the
trust and monopoly branch Of the Gov
eminent and, according to general opin-
ion. is as well entrenched in the first
named as in the others
Nothing that could happen would have
afforded much more pain in Administra-
ton circles than this exposure Of Rear
Admiral Sampson. especially at the pres
ent juncture when the Navigation Bureau
cabal felt nearly sure Of accomplishing its
purpose to reward the Man behind The
Horizon. for Rear Admiral Schley's vic
tory in the battle with Ceryera of san
tiago Harbor Naturally. every care would
be taken TO suppress an exposition Of FuI-
gar and Europe-aping un-Americanism, 50
likely to be fatal TO the hero Of the en-
listed servants-whO recovered judgment
against him for docking their wages-and
OF the Matanzas mule, in his ambition TO
be promoted over the head Of a gallant Of
hcer who. in the opinion Of The American
people. divides yith Admiral Dewey. The
naval honors Of the war with Spain But
IN some way the bag seems 20 have been
left open. and the cat is out
Il is worthy Of comment that officers Of
high rank in the navy who have claims TO
gentle birth are in favor Of permitting
worthy and competent enlisted men 10
attain commissions Admiral Dewey says:
III we are 10 have great American Navy,
ne must be in touch with the American
people. 50 there must BE- given an oppor-
tunity or opening for men TO rise from
the rsnks OJler prominent sea com
manGers testify to the same effect and
point TO the fact that not only our naval
heroes OF the Revolution. OF 1872 and the
Barbary. Mexican. and Civil wars. but many
ornaments Of the service in recent or the
present time have reached command and
even flag rank starting from the mast or
The merchant marine Admiral O'Nein,
wEo succeeded Sampson as Chief of the
Ordnance Bureau. was common sailor
and rose 10 MS stars BIZ sheer force Of
merit Captain Dyer. who commanded the
baltimore II the battle Of Manila Bay.
had been seaman and officer in the mer-
chant service coming into the navy after
later spending some time in our army.
Rear Admiral Hichborn, late Chief Con-
structor Of the Navy, prepared for his dis
4inguished career in the humble positions
OF ordinary seaman and ship carpenter.
Rear Admiral Melville. also, came I'D from
the ranks
The argument is all in favor of the en-
listed men. It is a peculiar commentary
upon the state of opinion in the navy that
their chief and only important opponent
in the connection is man whose father
was a day laborer- and himself one until a
happy accident sent him 10 annapolis 10
become q gentleman and the typical aris-
tOcrat Of The service
SIMPSONS attitude. IN resenting the pro-
motion OF men whom ne regards as his so
ciaI interiors. harmonizes entirely with his
character as developed 10 the public dur
ing the past few years. We are obliged
10 hira for furnishing so strong and fresh
an illustration OF il. Sampson Is the type
OF person Who is always yearning and
struggling for something he has not and
which would not normally come his way
He suffers acuJely from wounded vanity
Due 70 a totally erroneous idea thai de-
cent men among his feIIow-citIzens might
think less OF him because OF his obscure
and loWly origin Abraham Lincoln. tiit
man whose memory next 10 that Of George
washington the American people mos1
revere. was of almost equally humble
birth Who ever thinks Of that as detri-
mental 10 his greatness or goodness But
Sampson thirsts for aristocracy. and his
way OF reaching for ii is 10 bar the way
10 promotion to all persons whose sins OF
plebeianism have not been hazed. duiled
scrubbed. and trained out Of them 81 An
napOlis.
II was the same spirit. no doubt that
caused Sampson TO rush back 10 Santiago
Harbor after the Spanish ships had struck
their flags 10 schley. and claim all the
laureis OF q triumph Of which he had not
been even a binocuIar witness. II Is The
same spirit Of determination 20 seize
what is not justly his due that causes
Sampson 10 strive and maneuvre for ele
walton above his successful superior Of
fcer- Sampson al last, is Enthusiastically
on view and in a way which VIII make i
Impossible for his friends TO cover up III,
naked and unsatisfactory truth his per
sonaIity presents
In attempting to prevent The advance
ment Of enlisted men in the navy Samp
son has unzytttiugly done them a grea
service Disgust over his latest per
formaace viii result in the success 0
their cause, and it VIII also tend 10 pre-
cIude the accomplishment OF the nav,
rings nefarioUs design 10 heap honor
upon him. which were earned b. another
Better Indications iH China
Il would appear from our Chinese news
that the clever coup OF Count yon Wal
dersee. IN threatening = military move