The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-12

max of the Schley court Of inquiry
came this afternoon when Mr.. Rayner
the chief counsel for Admiral Schley,
concluded a brilliant argument of over
three hours with a peroration, so elo-
quent and impassioned that all within
the sound of his voice were profoundly
touched
In vivid colors he painted the picture
of the Brooklyn with Commodore SchIey
on The bridge fighting the entire Span
ish fleet until the Oregon appeared in
the smoke. The thunder of the Brook
Ign. music for the ears of his country
men, he said, aroused Admiral Schley's
VIC foes. He pictured the victo-
rious sailor suffering as few ave suf-
fered for three long years, while the
fires of persecution leaped around him.
and now awaiting the Jour of his vim
dication in the verdict of the court.
The scene in the court room as Mr..
Rayner finished was thrilling. The at
tendance had been large all day n at
the morning session a lady had tainted
from excitement. AS Mr.. Rayne began
his eulogy of Admiral Schley those in
Ihc duulCIlCCs IldAlN VI "AACAA 'OAO
ladies, leaned forward in their seats.
The spell of his oratory was over them
and when he described the admiraIs
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
evidence of emotion and Admiral Schley
himself was plainly moved. He sat,
leaning back with his hands behind his
head. His chin twitched and as coun-
sci said he could afford to await the
verdict of posterity two big tears rolled
down his cheeks. He moved uneaslly
to conceal his emotion and under the
pretense of adjusting his glasses
brushed the tears aside.
For full thirty seconds after Mr.. Ray
ner closed there was not a ound. Ihen
the tension broke in a loud burst or ap-
plause. Admiral Dewey after about a
half minute, arose to remind the spec
tators that such a demonstration was
out of place. a moment afterward the
court adjourned. the judge advocate
pleading that he could not well go on
today.
Then another remarkable thing hap
pened. AS sOOn as the SaVel fell the
entire audience surged forward 20 shake
the hands of admiral Schley and MT.
Rayner: but the On-cominS spectators
fell back a moment as they saw Ad-
miral Dewey and his two associates
move TOund the table, as II by q com,
mon impulse and congratulate AdTnlral
SchIey and his counsel. Even Captain
IemIy. the Judge advocate, came for
ward to Join in the cOngratulation.
Then the public held it's inning ana
for fifteen minutes after the court ad-
iourned. Admiral Schley and Mr.. a
ner were kept busy making hands
MIR. RAYNER'S ARGUMENT.
Captain Parker spoke for twenty
g. r,Tnrr+1. or tho nnPnlnG 81 Jul
concluding with a glowing tribute TO
Admiral SchIey, and Mr.. Rayner be
gan his argument with a compliment
airy |allusion to Judge Advocate Lemly
and Mr.. Hanna.
Mr.. Rayner made Il plea for consider
alton of questions from what was at
that time Commodore Schley's points
of view. Let u.s." he said, put our
selves in his place and see What the
circumstances were. We all know now
what it would have been wise to do
Discussing dispatch No. Z, Known as
the Dear Schley'' letter, Mr.. Rayner
contended that the order conveyed III
that message made it upon
Commodore Schley to remain at Glen
fuegos. He declared that this was the
key to the whole case and that IL qua
not admit of any other construction
than tina Commodore Schley should
remain at Cienfuegos. .
Order No. s, Upon which the counsel
on the other side had laid so much
stress. he said, did not permit Commo-
dOre Schley to cave until satlsned that
the Daniar were not in C1enfuegoS.
That dispatch reached Commodore
Schley on the day the Adula was sent
ina fact which Mr.. Rayner said he
regarded as one of the most important
in the campaign. When the Adula did
not come out the next day asher skip
per had agreed to do, dmiral Schley
uac still further confirmed in the be-
lief that CerYera was in CienfuegoS.
MI. Rayner devoted attention to
messages said to have been carried by
the Eagle and by Lieutenant Hood to
Admiral Schley concerning the Spanish
fleet. Without impugning any officer
of the American fleet, Mr.. Rayner de-
clared that Admiral Schley vac the
victim of an unfortunate combination
of circumstances that left him in total
darkness as to the location of the
Spanish fleet.
THE QUESTION OF COALING.
Concerning the question Of coaling'
at sea, Mr.. Rayner read the testimony
of several witnesses to prove the great
difficulties such a task involved. He
said that all they wanted to prove was
that Admiral Schley was honest when
he informed the department Of his in
creasing anxiety regarding the coal sup
ply, and that he acted according to the
o1CldlGS VI Ills wv (OLoSACL~N" In $500
the question was not how long the fleet
could have remained off Santiago on
blockade. but what the fleet could have
done had the Spaniards come out. He
was prepared to prove that one shlr
could not have followed the Spaniards
six hours and have had enough Goa
left to return to Key West.
The interview with Admiral Sampsor
at Key West was discussed, Mr.. Ray
ner c~ontending for the accuracy Of AID
miral Schley's recollection Of the con-
versation as to attacks on land batter
les.
Mr.. Rayner contended that there was
no ground for cenSure sin connection
with Admiral Schley's conduct in the
reconnaissance of May 31st. He said
he had lone no more than to exercise
the discretion allowed to a commander
in-chief under such circumstances.
Mr.. Rayner then came to specifca-
ton No. 8 relating to the alleged with
dra wal of the fivin0 S0T46rOn from of