The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-03-05
ADMIRAL SAMPSON, SNOB.


| United States Torpedo Station,
Newport, r. L., Feb. 10.
Admiral w. Il. Sampson, United
States navy:
Dear Sir-The new bill whereby 81,
six gunners are to be commissioned
ensigns tempts me to write you
trusting you will pardon the liberty
take in SO doing.
AS | served on the flagship New
York during your command of the
fleet, you will know whether my
abilities, whatever they may be, are
of such merit as to warrant me in
filling the position of ensign. would
say here that | never use tobacco OF
liquor in any form.
If in your estimation, am worthy
of this position, | shOnld be most
grateful to you il you will recon-
mend me to the department.
am very respectfully yours,
CHARLES MORGAN,
Gunner, U. S. N.
These are SIMPSONS endorsements
respecting the application:
| navy Yard, boston, Feb. IA.
Endorsement /. Respectfully for
Warded to the navy department for
its consideration.
2. MI. Morgan has good prOfes
| sional AFFINITY. lte also has, which
distinguishes him from most other
warrant Onlcers, a gentlemanly bear
| ing. II ne were to be commission
| ed as an ensign he would probably
compare favorably, both profession
ally and in personal conduct and
bearing, with other officers of that
grade, as far as mis- technical edu-
cation would permit.
3. 1t is earnestly to be hoped, how
ever, that the secretary of the navy
will not find it necessary to take adj
vantage of the authority which
understand is to be granted him to ap-
point a certain number of warrant
officers to the grade of ensign.
While it is true That these men are
selected from large class of men Of
very unusual ability, which distin-
guishes them as perhaps the profess
sional equals of their officers as far
as their technical education stands
it is also true that they are recruit
eu from class of men who have not
hau the social advantages that are
a requisite for commissioned off
Ger.
1t is submitted that in time of
peace the navy's function consists
to Il certain extent, of representing
the country abroad, and it is import
ant that the navy's representatives
should be men of at least refinement,
While there are perhaps certain
few among the warrant officers who
could fulfil this requirement, | am
of the opinion that the vast major
iuy of them could not.
Once they are commissioned they
will nave the same social standing
as other officers, and no distinction
could be made in extending general
invitations. The consequences that
would arise from their acceptance
might not rebound to the credit of
the navy or the country which the
navy represents.
| do not mean to detract from the
sterling worth of The warrant Off
GERS of the navy; merely mean to
suggest to the department that, I'M
fortunately for them, they have been
ueprived of certain natural advant-
ages, and in consequence their proper
place is that of leading men among
the crew, and not as representatives
of the country in the wardroOm and
steerage.
brought to the personal attention of
the secretary of the navy.
w. II. SAMPSON.
Rear Admiral, U. S. N.
Commandant.
In this Endorsement Sampson has
written himself down hopeless snob
and has vindicated the prevailing
opinion that he is the leader of a
foppish, snobbish naval aristocracy,
whose members are better suited to
"capering nimbly in lady's chamber
to the lascivious blessings of a lutte"
than to perform the s,ern duties re-
quired and expected of men of the
navy. Social refinement is a very
desirable quality in any walk of life
but it would seem to be i'll nowise
essential to mans fighting capacity
in the navy Or elsewhere. Sampson
is obviously out of place in the navy.
He should be the rector of fashion
able church. or devote himself to the
of work on social Ell.
Quette. The peace-loving proclivities
he betrayed at Santiago and this lat
est evidence that he has all the per-
sonal characteristics or a cheap par
venu, proclaim him wholly lacking in
that generosity, courage and common
sense, far more essential than the
refinements which come of social adj
vantages for those who aspire to be
leaders of men.
In the last issue of the Livingston ,
Post appears call for bids for the s
IF off, g. /.