The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-11-08
SPELL OF HIS ORATORY OVER
HIS HEARERS.
JUDGES DISPLAY EMOTION
After He Closed All Was Silent
Then Applause Burst
Forth.

Washington, Nov. 6.-The climax
of the Schley court of inquiry came
this afternoon when Mr.. Rayner, the
chief counsel for Admiral Schley, con-
cluded a brilliant argument of over
three hours with an oration so elO-
quent and imprisoned that all with
in the sound Of his voice were pro-
foundly touched. This remarkable
trial, he said, sought to condemn the
man who had brought to successful
termination as great naval triumph
as was ever won. In vivid colOrs he
painted the picture of the Brooklyn
with Commodore Schley on the bridge
fighting the entire Spanish fleet until
the Oregon appeared out of the smoke.
'"The thunders of the Brooklyn's guns,
music for the ears of his countrymen,"
he said, aroused Admiral Schley's
envious foe" He pictured the victor
ious sailors sufferings, as few have
SuuSlt'u, LII IAiSO AO16 yCoAo "AAA0
the fires of persecution were heaped
upon him, and he is now awaiting the
hour of his vindication in the verdict
of the court.
"And when it comes" he concluded,
"He can, from the high and exalted
position that he occupies, look down
y 80 %,.o1 oil on6
with excellent pride exclaim: Il care
not for the venemous gossip of clubs,
drawing rooms and cliques and the
poisoned shafts of envy and of malice.
await under the guidance of Divine
Providence the verdict of posterity.' /"
| The scene in the court room as he
| finished with these words was thrill
| ing. The attendance had been large
all day and at the morning session a
lady had tainted from excitement. AS
Mr. Rayner began his eulogy of Ad-
miral Schley those in the audience,
many of whom were ladies' leaned for
ward in their seats. The spell of his
oratory was over them and when he
described the admiral's gallant deeds
and the long persecution to which he
had been subjected many Of them
broke down and wept. The members
of the court displayed evidences OF
emotion and Admiral Schley himself
was plainly moved, he sat, leaning
back, with his hands behind his head,
his chin twitched and as his counsel
said he could afford to await the YER
dict of posterity, two big tears rolled
| down his cheeks. He moved uneasily
| to conceal his emotion and under the
pretense of adjusting his glasses,
brushed the tears aside. For fully 80
seconds after Mr.. Rayner closed there
was not sound. Then the tension
broke in a loud burst Of applause.
Admiral Dewey after about half
minute arose to remind the specta-
tors that such a demonstration was
out of place. A moment afterwards
the court adjourned, the Judge advo-
cate pleading that he could not well
go on today. Then another remark
able thing happened AS soon as the
gavel fell the entire audience surged
forward to shake the hands of Admir-
| al Schley and Mr. Rayner. But the
oncoming spectators fell back mo-
ment as they saw Admiral Dewey and
his two associates move around the
table as if by common impulse and
congratulate Admiral Schley and his
counsel.
Even Captain Lemly, the judge ad
/ vocate, came forward to join in the
congratulations. Then the public had
4 it's inning and for Is minutes after
the court adjourned Admiral Schley
and Mr.. Rayner were kept busy shak
ing hands.
In his argument Mr.. Rayner said re
garding Lieuteant Potts who had de
clared Admiral Schley was greatly
agitated and disturbed during the
bombardment of the Colon: Lieu
tenant Potts has covered himself will
renown. His name will echo through
the ages of undying fame. Wher
Manila shall be forgotten and Santi
ago will be buried in oblivion. th'
name Of Potts shall live; whenever
an admiral or commodore or q cap
tain is engaged in the carnage Of NOR
tai conflict, beware Of Potts. beware
OF your looks. Be careful how 70,
4 walk. Be careful how you sit down