The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-04

INC 1slIAIsSSI EEaHuAl.
One would think that the Adninistra-
ton had had enough OF the Sampson scan
dal to leave it alone for awhile. But it is
evident that the conspiracy to rob the VIC
tor Of Santiago Of his IaureIs. and give
them to a junior officer. who previously
had been Illegally placed in command OF
the feet, but was absent at the time Of
the battle, has not ceased to exist
Recently Senator Morgan of Alabama
addressed a letter to the Secretary of the
Navy calling attention to the delay in pub
lie recognition of the services rendered
the country during the Spanish war by
Captain Clark. OF the Oregon, Lieutenant
Hobson, and others Mr.. Long has an
swered. in substance. that the fault lies
not with the President, but with Con
gress, which so far has failed TO act
upon the recommendation OF the President
and the Navigation Bureau ring to create
the Office Of Vice Admiral, notoriousIy for
the benefit of Sampson, and to perform
other agreeable acts for the advancement
of that individuals following
We are unable 10 agree with the Sec
rotary that Congress has been in the
least remIss in the premises. On the
contrary. he IS we'll aware OF the fact
that, if the Administration had been will
ing to do justice TO the officer who
commanded in the sea fight of Santiago.
and destroyed the Spanish squadron IN
der Vice Admiral CerYera. there would
not have been the least difficulty in Sc
curing action. It was and IS right for
Congress to refuse participation in an
attempt 10 heroize the man who was he
hind the horizon, while his superior in
rank, service, character, and ability was
combating and annihilating the enemies
/ Of the country!
The promotion Of Sampson over Rear
Admiral SchIey would be 2 disgrace and
legally in command Of the fleet His gun
boat commission as acting rear admiral
! and com nander-in-chief" was null and
void. It was in direct violation Of the
/ Law. If Sampson had been Of the same
I rank as Commodore Schley. though junior
+ IN the grade his appointment would not
( have conficted with the statute. But he
was only q captain: hence the President
/ vas estCpped by its clear language from
! placing him over the head Of an officer Of
/ higher rank. We're there any doubt or
ambiguity in the text. the presumption
would still be conclusive that Congress
never intended to put it in the power Of
the President to give command over fleets
ard admirals TO any junior officer he might
fancy, down to the youngest ensign IN the
navy.
So. even if Sampson had been within
signaling distance, or within hearing Of
the battle, which he was not until after
it Was over and the Spaniards had struck
their colors, ne would not be entitled TO
the honors Of the victory; because. as
matters Of truth and statutory right. Com
modOre Schley was his superior, unless all
American law is subject TO annulment at
VIII by the executive department OF the
Government. On the other hand, II Samp-
son had been properly in command OF the
/ feet before the fight, he was not whzn it
occurred. He vas twenty miles away
His seIfshness and disIngenuOusness n
Immediately attempting TO seize the cred
it. and TO obscure the real facts of the
engagement TO the public have, as Mr.
+ Long knows, rendered him person par
ticularly obnoxious to the American peo-
pie Congress has done we'll. so far, in
recognizing this sentiment. and in pre-
venting action which would be an insult
to patriotism and an outrage upon cur
naval service.