The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-22
COURT MUST STAND
so SAYS ACTING SECRETARY OF
NAVY HACKETT.
ScHLEY'S PROTEST DON'T GO.
HOwISON's UTTERANCEs TO Bos-
TON REPORTER NOW IGNORED.

Tape Rosette of Court of Inquiry
for Such Small Matter as Previous
1y Expressed Opinion-Mr. Hackett
Takes Advantage of Opportunity
to Talk VOluminousIy While His
Superior Is Absent.
Washington, Aug. 21.-The navy de-
partment this afternoon gave out the
correspondence with Admiral Schley
relative to opinions said to have been
expressed by Admiral Howison, a men,
ber of the court of inquiry. The clos
ing letter of the acting secretary of
the navy states that it would be irreg-
ular for the navy department to hear
and determine questions affecting the
competency of members of the court,
and advises Admiral Schley that the
question of Admiral Howison's compe-
tency will be left to the court of In
quiry itself. The correspondence fol-
lows:
Washington, Aug. 10, 1901 .-1The
Secretary of the Navy. Sir: 1 have
the honor to enclose herewith a news
paper clipping in which Rear Admiral
Henry l.. Howison (who has been Sc
lected to fill the vacancy caused by the
relief Of Rear Admiral l.. A. Kimberly
from the court of inquiry, is represent.
ed TO have expressed certain opinions.
"If this statement, taken from the
Boston Record, be true, it would, in
the judgment of my counsel, disqualify
him for serving in this inquiry.
Il respectfully request that a copy
of this letter, with this enclosure, be
submitted to Rear Admiral Howison
for his consideration; and 1 would fur
ther request that 1 may be favored
with a copy of his answer.
Il have entertained high personal re-
gard for Rear Admiral Howison,
throughout long professional service,
so that feel sure that if the state
ments expressed in the enclosed clip
pings are true, Rear Admiral Howison
would not be willing to serve as a
judge under such circumstances.
have the honor to be, very respectful
n n, w. . schieS' rear Admiral D. 3
(The newspaper clipping referred to
is enclosed in Admiral Schley's letter.
Navy Department, Washington, Aug.
90. 1901.-Rear Admiral w. S. Schley,
U. S. N, Washington, d. c.: Sir
Your letter of 18th. enclosing newspaper
clipping in regard to alleged statements
of Rear Admiral Henry L. Howison,
was received by mail this morning.
Soon after it's receipt Capt. James
Parker, one of your COUNSEL called at
the department and stated that he in
tended to go to Boston on Saturday to
make further investigation in the
premises, and wished that no step be
taken by the department until the re-
suit of his visit could be communicated
to the department.
"The department would be pleased to
learn Immediately if it be your desire
that action be withheld for the pres
ent. Respectfully, F. w. Hackett.
acting Secretary"
THE Arlington. Washington. Aug. 20,
1901.-Sir: In reply to the departments
letter of this date referreing to clipping
containing alleged statements of Rear
Admiral Henry L. Howison, I would
say that 1 believe that the action re-
quested should not be withheld, as its
purpose was to avoid any delay in the
court after its session begun.
"(2) 1 beg therefore that the request
municated to Admiral Howison. Very
respectfully, w. S. Schley,
"Rear Admiral. u. S. N.
Hackett Is Talkative.
ITO the Secretary of the Navy, Wash
ington, d. c."
Aug 21, 1901-Sir: In reply to your
letter of 18th instant, enclosing a news
paper clipping and requesting the de-
partment to send it to Rear Admiral
Howison, together with a copy of your
letter, you are informed that the ap-
pointment of Rear Admiral Howison
as a third member of the court of in
quiry was accomplished only after TAX
ing great pains to secure absolute i'm
partiality in the officer selected. To
question unofficially put as to his avail
ability in case the department should
require his services, Rear Admiral
Howison replied:
II know of no reason why should
not be available for such duty should
the department so decide. have made
no public utterance relating to the
subject, and / have seen none of the
official reports and papers bearing up
on the questions to be decided by the
court
your counsel, Capt. Parker, before
the appointment had been announced,
mentioned to the acting secretary the
names of certain rear admirals, any
one of whom, he said. would be per-
fectly satisfactory to Rear Admiral
Schley. One of the names so mention
ed was that of Rear Admiral Howison.
It may be added that of four officers
consulted by the department the
names of three were upon the list thus
mentioned by your counsel.
This much has been detailed in or
der to remind you of the fact that
fair-minded officers of excellent repu-
tation and of unblemished character
had been found in the person of Rear
Admiral Howison, who, at the date of
his appointment. appears to have en-
loved the confidence of the both the
department and yourself.
''Your request Is based upon a news
paper clipping that purports to con-
tain statements in regard to the truth
of which you do not yourself express
an, opinion.
You ask the department to lay be-
fore Rear Admiral Howison state
ment. wholly unsubstantiated. that ap-
pears to have been made by some per-
son unknown at a time and place like
wise unknown.
"The department is unable to view
your request in any other light than
that of a preliminary challenge of the
fitness of Rear Admiral -Howison to
serve as a member of the court. 1t
will be treated as is usual in cases of
courts of inquiry.
"The established practice In the mill
l..