The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-13
HOWIS0N IS FIRED
WON'T BE ALLOWED to- SIT ON
sCHLEY COURT OF INQUIRY.
CLEARLY HE'S NOT IMPARTIAL
so DEWEY AND BENHAM DECIDED
IN FOURTEEN MINUTES.

Evidence Was Too Conclusive to Ad-
nit of Doubt-story of Frost, of
the Boston Record, substantiated
by Others-HOwison's Statement
Weaker Than Ever-Court win
Adjourn Until Department APP
points a Successor to Him-Dewey
Called LemIy Do,vn-The Basis of
the ChnIIenge-He Had sneered at
schIey-Text of Answer.
Washington, Sept. 12.-The court of
inquiry. which Admiral Schley asked
be held to inquire into the charges
made against his professional charac-
ter by Admiral Sampson, supported by
the Navy Department clique convened
to-day at1 o'clocq in the new gunners'
work shop at the navy yard. There
was only one development in the three
hours the court was in session. This
was what has been looked for by all
who have followed the celebrated con-
troversy during the last two or three
weeks.
Rear Admiral Howison was chal-
lenged by Rear Admiral Schley and
Admirals Dewey and Benham decided
that Howison was disqualified to sit
as a member of the court. The in
quiry, therefore, will be delayed until
the Navy Department selects another
man. If this selection is not saJisfac-
tory to Rear Admiral Schley, a like
process will be gone through with.
Admirals Dewey and Benham, after
being closeted in the retiring room ex-
actly fourteen minutes, decided against
Rear Admiral Howison. So quickly
was this matter settled that it seemed
that their decision had been reached
before they retired. 1t has long been
known by those who have come in con-
tact with the so-called Navy Depart
ment clique, that they have been es-
pecially anxious to have Rear Admiral
Howison retained as a member of the
court. This opinion was time and
time again sustained during the
examination of witnesses, whose
testimony was for the purpose of
showing that Howison had not ex-
pressed the opinions accredited to him
in which he showed ennity towards
Rear Admiral Schley.
Lieut.. H. H. Ward, who is Crownin-
shields right hand man, and who first
discovered" that Schley showed cow
ardice by making his famous loop,
was the best indicator that this clique
desired the retention of Howison. Ad
miral Schley's friends, however, must
conclude from this first victory that
everything is going his way. Howl
sons offense appeared so clear, after
Schleys counsel had presented their
witnesses, that it was a wonder that
Admiral Dewey consented to listen to
more argument.
This disqualification, however, was
not the only point Schley's counsel
lors won to-day. They scored a point
on Judge Advocate Lemly. When the
testimony of three witnesses for Schley
had been given Mr.. Rayner waited for
Capt. Lemly to try to impeach their
statements, or for Admiral Howison
to make a denial. Neither made a
move in this direction, so Mr.. Rayner
began an argument based on the fact
that Admiral Howison had not con-
tradicted any of the testimony.
"Now IL the Accepted Time"
He will make statement after you
have finished" said the Captain.
Mr.. Rayner was astounded by this
assertion, and quickly replied:
Now is the time for him to make it,
or not at ALL
Lemly contended that the Admiral
could give his side whenever he chose.
Grabbing a law text book, Mr.. Ray
ner read few paragraphs on the du-
ties of the court at such a time. Dewey
leaned over and held whispered con-
versation with Benham at this point.
When they finished. Capt. Lemly start
ed to make a speech.
''Sit down, Lemly," said Dewey sotto
voce, but loud enough for those in his
immediate vicinity to hear. Then
aloud he added, Admiral Howison will
write his statement now, and while he
is doing so, the court will take an in
formal recess"
Howison did write a statement, and
that Immediately, as Dewey command
ed. He also made it weaker and less
satisfactory than the letter which he
wrote personally to Acting Secretary
Hackett when Schley's attorneys de-
manded an explanation of the Boston
papers interview. The bare fact of the
matter is that Admiral Howison acted
and talked in such manner as to dis
appoint those who conceive navy Off
GERS to be the soul of high and delicate
honor-too brave and chivalrous to per-
NIT themselves to act in such a man
ner as to raise any question of veracity
honesty or good breeding.
Admitted Everything Charged.
In general he admitted everything
charged against his eligibility, but
gave the impression that he desired to
deny the allegation of witnesses. who
reported conversations wherein he had
openly sneered at Rear Admiral
Schely. At one point. where there
was a short interruption of the pro-
ceedings of the court, he remarked in
stage whisper which was easily over.
heard;