Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1901-11-01
Why NAVY CLIQUE ATTACKS ScHLEY.
1t is an Effort to Settle Old Scores.

1t is an Effort to Settle Old Scores.
, WASHINGTON.-Afte fter many month
of anxious inquiry in naval CIRCLES
: am able to give the first plausible re;
son for the feeling, bitter as it may b.
against Admiral Schley which exist
in the navy. Since tbe Sampson an
Schley controversy began immediate
ly after the battle.of Santiago it wa
apparent to all who were in touch wit
naval affairs that the officials of th
Navy Department., from the secretar
down to the humble naval cadet, wit
a few exceptions, entertained violen
personal antipathy to Rear Admire
Schley.
The basis for this condition of affair
was never fully explained. to my salts
faction at least, until few days ago
when had conversation with dis
tinguished naval officer on the retired
list who related the following stor,
without placing any restrictions upor
me as to the repeating of it. Without
quoting him, l will endeavor to give
the substance of his yarn as he spun il
to me. In the beginning, want to say
that the officer referred to is probably
one of tho ablest and most distinguish
ed officers Of the navy. He does not
like Admiral Schley and he is classed
among the leaders of the anti Schley
crusade. His statements may be relied
upon, for he is in a position to know
whereof he speaks. 1t was during an
animated discussion of the latest pro-
ceedIngs in the Court of Inquiry that
the question was asked.
las rank outsider. l would like
to KNOW" said l, what is the real
animous against Schley 80 generally
prevailing throughout the navy ?''
WHY THEY HATE SCHLEY.
The old sea dog proceeded to answer
my question with his usual frankness,
but with an earnestness that clearly in
dicated his hostility to Admiral Schley.
He went On to say that this feeling
against Schley in the navy began prior
to the battle of Santiago Schley had
never been personally popular among
naval officers. However, he has man
aged to make a great many warm and
valuable friends outside of the service
by his pleasing appearance and his
agreeable personality. With the poll
ticians and the newspaper fraternity,
he has always maintained friendly rela-
tions and quite general popularity.
All Of these personal characteristics
tended to excite the envy, jealously
and unfriendliness of many naval Of
ficers.
That was the state of feeling in the |
navy when the Spanish. American War
,ame in. There were offered opportu
mites for officers of the navy to dis
,ley their patriotism, win promotion
Ind achieve popularity. Naturally
'very fellow was on the lookout for
No. and used every endeavor to Sc
'ure a desirable station where be could
lave an active part in the campaign.
The Navy Department, presided over
~ Secretary Long, was really admins
cred SO far as detailing officers are
oncerned by Rear-Admiral Crownin-
hield, chief of the bureau of naviga-
ion. or course there was copsidera-
lie pulling and hauling by the friends
f aspiring officers, and the result was
hat several junior officers were jump
d over the heads of their seniors, a !
ractice which seldom meets with the {
eneral approval of the navy. How |
Yer, Schley, among the rest, was at ]
7ork seeking an important command. 6
IS he was not on very friendly terms I
nth Crowninshield, there was dis t
osition on the part OF the later to side |
rack Sehley and keep him in the back f
round as far as possible. L
sCHLEY TOO SMART. r
Schley, on the contrary, while pre- f
ending to be patiently waiting for {
lch call to duty as to the department e
light see fit to make, was secretly at S
ork among his political friends, sup t
Orted by a number Of leading news 1
apers, to secure an important and a
command. AS soon as it | +
'as indicated that the flying squadron t
'as to be organized Schley immediate Y
7 pounced upon the command of that +
luadrOn as desirable position and f
ne in which he could achieve great y
otoriety. The flying squadron had a f
airing, warlike sound and Schley was !
nxious to make the most of the op- f
ortunity. 9
There were several other aspirants n
or the same command, any one of Y
yhom would have been more accepta- 7
lie to Crowninshleld than Schley. q
While Schley was insisting daily that t
e would not lift his hand to secure n
ae command and criticised other Of
GERS for using their political and So
ial pull in their respective interests,
is alleged he was scheming day and {
ight to get that command. He mus
,red sufficient influence to go over the
cad of Crowninshield, and finally,
trough the influence of President Nc
inley, induced Secretary Long to give d
IN command of the flying squadron t
aturally Schley was tickled at bis C
lccess, and the other fellows were f
ortified and chagrined to the point of v
liter personal antipathy.
Here you have the true inwardness v
the Sampson Schley controversy as e
ia ted hu one Mhn Ia nntorinuslu nm | q