The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-17
The schIex Conrt of Enaniry.

Admiral Schley is in the city for the
purpose of consulting his counsel. and
it is said that he will remain until af-
ter the adjournment of the Court Of
Enquiry. Like the honest sailor and
gentleman he Is, he refuses to talk
about his persecution. as he always
has, thereby making the path of Samp-
son, Hackett. and Crowninshield hard:
for they have talked necessarily and
much promoted the public sentiment
which now regards them as defendants
rather than as prosecutors.
II is interesting to reflect upon tie
difference in the conduct of the two
principals in this unhappy American
naval contest, ever since the Battle of
Santiago, which was fought and won
by Admiral Schley and from which
Sampson was absent, although he re-
ceived the lions share of the prize
money for it. and, also. would have
been given the laurels of victory if
the American people and the Senate
had not entered an indignant protest
Sampson, the blue blooded swineherd,
who does not consider plebeian gun
ner fit to receive a commission and as
sociate with officers and gentlemen,
from the start has been confiding to
the public his pure views of Admiral
Schley's "reprehensible conduct" 1t Is
characteristic of him, and of the ring
to which he belongs that he has care
fully avoided mention of his actions
contributory To the things he con-
dennis. Thus. Sampson never has fav-
ored the country with his reasons for
instructing Commodore Schley to re-
main off Cienfuegos, when he knew
that the orders of the department were
that the latter should proceed to Sam
tiago. But, ignoring matters relative
to himself. which would have been
treated resentfuily by the American
people, Sampson has taken full adj
vantage Of Admiral Schley's exile to
the South fAtlantic Station to make
hay while the sun shone. His quiet
endorsement of the Maclay scurrility
is evidence of this. In brief. he has
talked as much as he could in deroga-
ton and denunciation of the gallant
officer who won the victory off San
tiago, while he was hull down behind
the horizon From first to last Ad-
miral Schley has preserved {; dignified
silence. He has even been kind in the
few remarks he has made on the sub
ject of the persecution, in relation to
its chief ipetigator. Now, of course.
his lips are sealed.
SO SIMPSONS appear to be; but the
chances are that If he were not prac-
tically under guard, it would be differ
ent. Garrulity is a distinguishing mark
of the hero of MatanZas. The time is
coming. however, when he will be ex-
pected to speak, and to the point. The
country is very anxious to know. and
if Sampson can be gotten on the stand,
the Hon. Jere Wilson will ask him, why
he failed to steam after Cervera when,
at Cape Haitien, he received notice that
the Spanish squadron was on the point
of leaving Curacao for Santiago de Gu
ba. He will be expected to explain the
suppressed order. and why he did not
transmit the shore signal code arrang-
ed with the Cubans at Cienfuegos to
Commodore Schley, when it was fur
nished to every other commanding Off
Ger in the fleet. There are many things
that ought to be pumped out of Samp-
son. and if the Court of Enquiry should
fail to perform the service, we have
little doubt that his case Will be taken
up by Congress. and an investigation
ordered which will cover the whole
present maladministration of the Navy
Department, under Long. Hackett, and
CrOWninshield