New-York tribune., 1901-11-07
LAST WORD FOR SCHLEY.
AYNER MAKES THE CLOSING
PLEA.
DRAMATIC SCENES IN THE COURTROOM
ADMIRAL SCHLEY MOVED To TEARS
BY HIS COUNsELs PERoRATIoN.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I

Washington Nov 6-The last word In Ao-
rairal SchIey's behalf before the naval court OF
inquiry was spoken by Attorney General haSlieF
thi. afternoon in the presence OF one Oh 'iie
largest audiences the celebrated case hoo
--.c.aa and ro-roorrow the fortieth day OF the
proceedings Judge Advocate Lemiy VIII iiidhe
the closing argument on the other sue MI
Rayner in his argument on all the sPe'ioo
t,ons n the precept, insisted that Schley's con-
euct was completely vindicated by the eVioelioe.
He devoted himself particularly TO the impheo
ch.rees of disobedience of orders and of repre-
l,e,e;f,iIi-v On account of the retrograde move
mont which was regarded most serious anu
nm which most stress had been laid. AS TO THESE
he declared that Schley. while obeyins every
order that he received was "aFrail'eu "
exercising his discretion in regard 10 SUISSE
t,ons from superiors which he regaroeo as u
wise or contradictory, and that in turning o'0A
70 the westward on Sigsbee's assurance sup
ported by nve witnesses, Sch ey mao not pro-
reeded as far as authorized by the Navy De
,s--rnan+ when he returned TO Santiago ano
carried out instructions.
Mr. Rayners peroration was so eloquent anu
,r,,.Seioned that all within the sound or MS
,-.,oa wore deeplv moved This remarkape
&-s1 he said sought to condemn the man Who
has brought 10 a successful termination as sred'
q naval triumph as was ever won lie GeSciln
the Brooklyn. with Commodore SchIes VI
hr1dge fighting the entire Spanish meet ne saiO'
until the Oregon appeared out oi Iiie sii0ne
The thunders of the Brooklyn, MUSIC loi 'ie
ears of his countrymen. he declared a4ou'0
.a-otro1 ecblev,s envious foes. The victorious
zailor he continued, suffering as few nave SUI
<ered for three long years while the hres Oh
,,erseeutfon Ieaped about him. now awaited the
nour of his vindicaton IN the verdict OF 'iie
court.
"And when it comes ne concluded, he can'
from the high ard exalted position that ne oc-
cupies look down upon his traducers ana ana ma "a
lieners and with eXultant pride eAcistiIii.
cera not for the VenOnOuS gossip OF cluOs,
drawing rooms and cliques. and the polsoneu
shafts Of envy and OF malice. L await uhoeI
the guidance of Divine PROVIDENCE 'he Neioi0'
The scene in the courtroom was thrilling. ire
attendance had been large ali cay. ana at tne
,77orning session q woman had tainted from eA-
-itement As Mr. Rayner began his euogy OF
Admiral Schley those in the audience, many OF
whom were women, leaned forward In thelI
seats When he spoke Of the Admrals gallant
deeds and the long persecution TO Whlcn ne oe
clared he had been subjected many ,arsa9 OF mem
emotion. Admiral Schey sat leaning back, with
his hands behind his head His chin tFVltcheo,
and as his counsel said be could afford 10 await
The verdict of posterity. tears rolled Gown MS
cheeks. He moved uneasily to conceal his emo
rion and under the pretence Of adjusting MS
glasses. brushed the tears aside.
The appliance which followed MI Rayners
peroration was promptly suppressed bE Al
rniral Dewey, with the declaration this is not
theatre" 4 moment afterward the court ad-
1ourned. the Judge Advocate pleading that ne
could not go on to-day. AS soon as the gavei
fell the audience pressed forward to shake the
hands Of Admiral Schley and Mr.. Rayner- But
the spectators fell back moment as they saw
Admiral Dewey and his two associates move
around the table and congratulate the Admiral
and his counsel. Ca ptain Len1ly came forward
TO join in the congratulations. For fifteen min
utes after the court adjourned Admiral SchIey
and Mr. Rayner were kept busy shaking hands.
Mr.. Rayners argument to-day consumed the
whole day Of the court, except half an hour az
the opening. which Captain Parker. his asso-
ciate counsel. occupied in closing MS argument.
begun yesterday.