Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-08-15
Navy Department


following letter has been add essed to him:
Navy Department.
Washington, D. c., Aug II, 1901.
Sir:-The Hon. William L. Chandler,
president of the Spanish Treaty Claims
Commission, lately Senator of the United
States, and formerly Secretary of the
Navy, has complained to the department,
as you are aware, of certain structures upon
himself in your book entitled "a Sailors
Log"
The structures in question are in the
nature of aspersions upon the official con-
duct of the then QSS4) Secretary of the
Navy.
The text Of your book it is not necessary
here to recite. Nor is it needful to ask of
you an explanation why you felt yourself
justified in publishing what you have. 1t
is obvious to any reader that you speak
Extensively of Secretary Chandler's action;
that you impugn his motives and otherwise
traduce him in respect to orders given you
by the Secretary III the discharge of the
duties of his office.
You are informed that this deliberate
publication Of yours has justly incurred
the displeasure of the department. For
an officer thus to attack former head of
the Navy Department because of orders
given him by that official, is to abandon
the courtesy that should always character
ize an officer Of the navy. II tolerated, it
would unQuestionably prove subversive of
discipline. 1t would tend to bring the
Office itself into disrepute. The act is the
more reprehensible in this instance be-
cause of your long experience in the SER
vice.
1t has become my duty, therefore, TO
censure you for this breach of the obiga-
ton imposed upon you as commissioned
officer of the navy of the United States,
which l accordingly do
A copy of this letter will be furnished to
the Honorable William E. Chandler.
Respectfully,
F. w. HACKETT,
Acting Secretary.
Rear Admiral Robley d. Evans, u S. N.
Washington, d. G.
Former Secretary Chandler was notified
of the action of the department in the fol-
lowing letter
Navy Department,
Washington, D. c.,
August IL, 1901.
Hon. William +. Chandler, Waterloo, New
Hampshire
Sir:-Referring to recent correspondence
upon the subject of alleged structures made
by Rear Admiral Robly D. Evans upon
the conduct and motives of the Secretary
of the Navy in 1884, published in bis book
entitled "a Sailors Log" have the hon.
or to inform you that the department re-
CARDS this action of Admiral Evans as de-
serving of reproof.
Accordingly, the department has CEN
sured that officer, as will appear from
copy of letter to him of this date, herewith
enclosed.
have the honor to be.
Yours respectfully,
f. w. HACKETT,
Acting Secretary.
Admiral Evans has acknowledged, under
date of August 10, 1901, his receipt of the
letter of Acting Secretary Hackett.
1t is the understanding at the Navy De.
partment that the action taken closes the
incident. This is certainly so, SO far as the
Navy Department is concerned, and if
anything further is done it will have to be
on the initiative of Admiral Evans, is ask
ing for a court Of inquiry, or of Mr..
Chandler The right of the Navy Depart
ment to administer a. reprimand without
waiting for the findings of II court, has
been in question at lines, but it is said
the precedents leave - doubt that this
right exists.