The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-11-15
HEARERS ARE MOVED.
Eloquent and Impressive Plea Made
by MIR. Rayner.


Washington, Nov. T. The climax Of
the Schley court of inquiry came Wednes-
day when Mr.. Rayner concluded his
brilliant argument of over three hours
with peroration so eloquent and impaS-
stoned that all within The sound of his voice
were profoundly touched. This remarkable
trial, he said, sought to condemn the man
who had brought to a successful termna-
ton as great a naval triumph as was ever
won In vivid colors he painted the pic
lures of the Brooklyn with Commodore
Schley on the bridge fighting the entire
Spanish feet until the Oregon appeared
out of the smoke The thunders of the
Brooklyn, music for the ears of his coun-
trymen, he said, aroused Admiral Schley's
envious foes. He pictured the victorious
sailor suffering as few have suffered for
three long years while the fires of persecu-
ton leaped around him and now awaiting
the hour Of his vinGication in the verdict
Of the court. "And when it comes" he
concluded, "he can, from the high and eX-
allied position that he occupies, look down
upon his traducers and malignerS and with
excellent pride eXclaim: 1 care not for the
venomous gossip of clubs. Grawing-roor
and ciques ard the poisoned Shafts of
envy and malice l await under the guild
ance of Divine Providence the verdict of
posterity.'"
The scene in the courtroom as he fin
ished with these words was thrilling. The
attendance had been large all day and at
the morning session lady had tainted
from excitement. As Mr.. Rayner began
his eulogoy of Admiral Schley those in the
audience, many of whom were ladies,
leaned forward in their seats. The spell of
mis- oratory was over them and when he
described the admirars gallant deeds and
the long persecution to which he had been
subjected many of them broke down and
wept. The members of the court displayed
evidences of emotion and Admiral Schley
himself was plainly moved. He sat, lean
ing back, with his hands behind his head.
His chin tWitched, and as his counsel said
he could afford to await the verdict of pos
terity two big tears rolled down his
cheeks. He moved uneasily to conceal
his emotion and under the pretense of ad-
justing his glasses brushed the tears aside.
For full 80 seconds after Mr.. Rayner closed
there was not a sound. Then the tension
broke in loud burst of applause.
Admiral Dewey, after about "a half min
ute, arose to remind the spectators that
such demonstration was out of place. A
moment afterward the court adjourned to
two p. m, the judge advocate pleading that
he could not well go on. Then another re-
markabie thing happened. AS soon as the
gaVel fell the entire audience Surged for
ward to shake the hands of Admiral Schley
and Mr.. Rayner. But the oncoming spec
tatorS fell back moment as they saw Adj
mral Dewey and his two associates move
around the table, as If by common i'm
pulse, and congratulate Admiral Schley
and his counsel. Even Capt. Lemly, the
judge advocate, came forward to join in
the congratulations. Then the public had
its inning and for Is minutes after the court
adjourned Admiral Schley and Mr.. Rayner
were kept busy shaking hands.
Mr. Rayners argument consumed the
whole day of the court except for half an
hour at the opening, which Capt. Parker,
his associate counsel. occupied in cOnClud-
ing Mr.. Rayner took up the specifica tons
one by one, reserving those relating to the
retrograde movement until the last. So far
as he was able to do so he used the teSti
mony of the departments witnesses to
prove his contentious. With regard to the
retrograde movement. which he discussed
with greater seriousness than the other
specifications. he adduced in justification
not only all Admiral Schley's reasons for
believing the Spanish fleet was rot in San
tiago, but argued that every officer charged
with the responsibility of command neces-
sarily must be clothed with discretion in
carrying out instructions. He displayed
good temper in advertiEg to the testimony
of most of the officers. especially the rank
ing officers who seemed to contradict his
client, giving them in each case credit for
honesty of purpose. But, with few, he
dealt unsparingly. Hood. Potts and Bristol
he he'd up to ridicule.
While Mr.. Rayner was discussing the
testimony of Lieutenant Commander
Potts, he said that the commander had
said that he was always scared in battle"
Capt Lemly protested against this lam
guage and a sharp verbal encounter be-
tween the two occurred when Capt Lemly
said that Mr.. Rayner was unreliable"
"You." replied Mr.. Rayner, ''are not only
unreliable, but you are offensive" Admiral
Dewey interfered to say that the court