The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1901-09-13
HOWISON is OUT
SCHLEY COURT OF INQUIRY De.
CIDES HE is UNFIT TO ACT
AS A MEMBER.
PROCEEDINGS OF FIRST DAY

ZION OF Navy department on oodVO
and After Hearing Of Testimony the
Court Holds Challenge Well Taken.
Adjournment Follows Until a Sue.
cessor Is Named.
Washington. Sept. 13.-The Schley
court OF inquiry convened promptly at
l o'clock, the hour prescribed, and
when it was called to order all the
members "ere present. Admiral
Dewey occupied a position in the CEN
ter Of the court table and was flanked
on either side by Rear Admirals Ben
ham and Howison, the associate mem
bers Of the court. Admiral Schley ano
his counsel occupied seats within the
railing at table set apart for them
All the naval officials, including the
members CT the court and Admira'
Schley, were in the official undress
uniform. An admiral's salute Of II.
guns was fired as the court convened.
Admiral Dewey simply said in con.
StI4uS tAlc l, luc tOult 10 Oljtns
Immediately afterwards the mem.
bors Of the court retired at the in.
stance OF Judge Advocate Lemly 10 de.
eide whether the court should sit with
open or closed doors, Admiral Dewey
announcing that this order would be
followed instead of clearing the court
room.
The court was absent about II
minutes and when they returned the
proceedings began in view of the pub
lie without formal announcement. The
nrst matter brought 10 the attention OF
the court was Admiral Schley's letter
requesting the court of inquiry. This
was read by Captain Lemly.
Admiral Schley then arose and sala
that with extreme regret he was
obliged 10 challenge Admiral Howisol
as a member of the court.
4 hurried consultation among TIL
members OF the court followed. Al
miral Dewey first turned 10 A.Mlra
| Benham. tEen stepped around IN
table and engaged Captain l.ea.y !
| conversation. IL afterwards spa.-e |.
Rear Admiral itowison.
Captain L.mly then asked ii there
| was any evidence IN support u tn
statements concerning Rear y mira
Howison, 10 which Mr.. Raynor. speak
| ing for Rear Admiral Schley. aaIl
| there was Admiral Dewey announce,
| that this would be heard.
| In asking Admiral Sch!ey for des
| ignation Of his witnesses. Captai!
| Lcmly referred 10 the aimlral as IN
| 4 yar n i
| called his attention 10 the error an
| the judge advocate. general corlecte'
il. referring 10 him then as the ~
| pllcant.
SchIey introduces Witnesses.
| Francis T. Frost ol the Boston Rec
| ora. who had reported n conyersailo'
| with Rear Admiral liowison IN wAie
| the latter was alleged 10 have mad
.eac tions upon Admiral ScAley. Va
called 10 the stand.
The witness explained the natuy
| Of his duties III securing news from
| the Charleslown maynard. IL tho
detailed the conversation be is sal
| 10 have had With Admiral Howiso.
| This occurred, ne said. in the CON
Iuaudaut's : o.itc and while IL had no
| been given With the distinct undei
standing that il should De puhllShed
| there was no injunction To secrecy.
| Publications had begun 10 appea
| conccrn!nl til credit for the victory
| This had been referred 10 during IN
| Witness visit ID Admiral lIowis0n ali
| in reply the admiral stated. SO the Vii
ness testified. that sampson was I'll
titled to the credit OF the vi>toly 4
| Santiago.
Admiral Schley introduced tw
| other witnesses in support OF his
! legations Of uniitness Oh the part 9
| ADMIRAL Howison. They were Wi
| lam f. Spon OF New York. WI
| claimed 10 have heard Admiral How
ison say that Admiral Schley shoul
have been courtmartialed. and roste
| Nichols Of Ionhers. y. l., who state
| that Admiral Howison said 10 hin
that ii Schley had been an officer l.
The English navy he would not hay
been allowed 10 retain his commits
sion. All said Admiral Howison Aa
given them the impression that II
VAS preiudi,ed against Aimira
1 Schley. When the last witness LEI
the stand. Counsellor Raynor. for Ae
miral SChley. called attention TO III
| fact that Admiral Howison had mad
no defense. The court then took
recess To permit Admiral Howison I
/ formulate A statement.
After the reading of Admiral How
ison's reply. Assistant Judge Advocat
Hanna read the admirars letter I
Assistant Secretary Hackett. afte
which Mr.. Raynor questioned the al
miral concerning his attitude.
Admiral Howison said that he coul
moi volunteer his withdrawal to tn
court. Nor did he think that the fac
that he considered Sampson con
mandcr-n- chief incapacitated him as
member of the court,