The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-17

Dewey's Report Means Consent to
Most of the Findings of the Court.
Secretary Long Carefully Review
ing the Report of the Court-Ques-
ticn OF InvcstiEafion OF the Whole
Controversy by a Committee of the
House of Representatfves-Vi
of Senators and Members of the
Iafure.
Washington, December 1.-THE sec
retary OF the navy has before him for
review the report of the court of in
quiry in the Schley case. He is natur-
ally taking time to do this carefully,
so that immediate action is not ex-
pected. Meanwhile the court is techni-
cally in session and will remain so un-
til dissolved by order of Secretary Long
who convened it. The practice in such
cases is laid down specifically in naval
regulation No. 1879 respecting courts Of
inquiry in the following language:
THE proceedings of a court of in
quiry must be authenticated by the sig
natures Of the president and judge advo
cate OF the court only, and are then to
be submitted for the consideration OF
the officer convening the court; after
which the court may adjourn temper.
arily to await his further instructions"
The question has been raised since
the appearance OF the two reports in
print how far Admiral Dewey, the
president, subscribed to the opinions
expressed in the first report and in the
findings by appending his signature,
that signature being required of him
quoted, regardless OF his individual
opinion.
In response to inquiry on this point,
the judge advocate general Of the navy
says:
According to naval practice ADJ
miraI Dewey, by affixing his signature
to the report Of the court of inquiry in
the case of Rear Admiral Schley, ex-
presses full concurrence in all the find
ings of fact and all the opinions reach
ed by the court, except those with re-
spect to which he has in terms signi-
fed dissent in his minority opinion"
Representative Pearre, of Maryland.
representing the Maryland district from
which Admiral Schley came. stated to-
day that he would introduce resolu-
ton for a congressional investigation
of the entire Sampson-Schley affair,
unless his colleague from Maryland,
Mr.. Schrim, who had contemplated in
Producing such a resolution. carried out
this actiony Mr.. Pearre says he has
not formulated tie details of the pro-
posed congregational inquiry, but he
thinks it would be desirable to have it
conducted by special committee rather
than by one Of the regular committees
Of the house.
1.-The main purpose" said he, lis to
get the subject before an impartial
body of men, wholly disconnected with
the navy and free from the prejudices
which seem to exist in certain naval
circles. 1t is by having an investiga-
ton by men of such disinterested char
acter that the real facts can be brought
out The proceedings before the court
followed the strictest legal and official
formality, and much evidence was barr
ed out on technical grounds, which a
congressional investigation would bring
out. 1 will defer, however. to the wish
es Of my colleague, Mr.. Schrim, as he
first announced the purpose to intro
duce a resolution of investigation; but
in case he does not act, my resolution
will be introduced
Among members of the house OF rep
resentatives the findings in the Schley
case were discussed with great interest
and considerable speculation was in.
dulged in as to the prospect of a con-
gressional investigation of the subject
The prevailing view appeared to be
that much will depend upon the wishes
of Admiral Schley and his friends in
the Maryland delegation.
Representative Cummings, Of New
York, was the only member Of the na-
val committee at the house today. He
pointed out that Representative Viii
uams, OF Mississippi, had already in
troduced a resolution proposing an in
yestigation and that under the rules oi
the house this would become privileg'
ed and could be called up on the f1ool
if not reported from committee witt
in two weeks from the time it was in
troduced.
The Williams resolution was intro
duced about week ago, so that it viii
become privileged and can be called VI
Immediately after the holidays.
Aside from this resolution it is ex
pected that various others will be in
troduced now that the findings of th'
court have been announced.
Chairman Foss. Of the house nava
committee, declined to express al
opinion as to whether congress woult
deal with the Schley case. He says h'