The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1901-09-21
CHALLENGE UPHELD
ADMIRAL HowlsoN CANNOT
SERVE ON scHLEY COURT
OF INQUIRY.
Action Taken Results in Indefinitely
Postponins Proceeding. = sehIsy
Well Pleased With the Outcome Of
Als Protest-Admiral Ramsay Has
Been Named to Succeed Howison as
4, the Third Member Of the Court.

tne Ihtro Member OF the Court.
Washington, Sept. 14.-Within three
hours from the time of convening the
schley court Of inquiry it was an
nounced that Rear Admiral H. L.
Howison was disqualified from serv-
ing as member of the court and was
excused from further duty. This
brought proceedings to an abrupt ter
mination and caused q temporary ad-
journment Of the court in order to
permit the navy department to desig-
nate an officer to succeed Admiral
Howison. It had been expected that
little official business would be &C.
complished on the opening day and
the prompt decision as to Admiral
Howison came somewhat as a sur
prise.
Prior to the courts convening a
good sized crowd assembled at the
Washington navyyard, where the court
meets, to witness the coming of the
prominent naval officers who were to
take part in the proceedings. They
came ununiformed and unheralded
and until the full dress uniform had
been donned inside the quarters set
aside for the actual sessions Of the
court there was nothing dramatic to
the session. Admiral Dewey and Ad-
miral Schley were naturally the prin-
cipal figures in popular interest.
A salute Of II guns, in honor of the
admiral Of the navy, marked the open
ing of the proceedings at l o'clock.
The usual formalities on the opening
of a court were transacted with dis
patch. The first skirmish was opened
by Admiral schley, rising from his
seat and speaking in strong voice,
calmly and deliberately, challenging
Admiral Howison's eligibility as a
member Of the court. Three Witness
es were brought forward in support
OF this challenge, namely Mr.. Francis
8. Frost, Mr.. William e. Spon and
Mr.. Foster Nichols. They
Gave Very Positive Evidence
as to expressions they had heard Ad.
miral Howison make favorable to Ad.
miral Sampson and unfavorable to Ad.
miral Schley. Mr.. Frost testified to
q statement Admiral Howison had
made to him at Boston while the wit
ness was seeking news as a reporter.
Mr.. Spon testified to remarks made
while he and the admiral were jour-
neying back 20 this country from Eu-
rope on transatlantic steamer, and
Mr.. Nichols conversation occurred
during a business call at Admiral
Howison's private residence at Yon-
kers, N. Y.
On concluding this testimony the
question arose whether Admiral Howl
son would join issue with the state
ments made by the witnesses or would
rest on his privilege to withhold any
answer until he chose to submit It.
The admiral met the issue by turning
at once to Admiral Dewey and an
nouncing that he would make a writ
of Irejoinder to the statements Of the
three witnesses. This rejoinder he
prepared very speedily. While con-
ceding the accuracy Of some points
In the evidence it threw considerable
doubt on other points and disclaimed
any recollection of the talks said to
have taken place on the transatlan.
tic steamer. ;
It was not sufficient, however, to
counteract the very direct testimony
given by the three witnesses, and,
moreover, the admiral himself in con-
Guiding his statement indicated plain
ly that he hSd no desire to remain on.
the court and was there simply in
obedience to orders. He even appealed
to his associates on the court to de-
eide all doubtful questions as to his
eligibility
In Favor Of Admiral sehIey.
Before submitting the challenge to
the determination of the court Mr..
Rayner crossexamined Admiral Howl
son very minutely as to his personal
sentiments toward Admiral Sampson
and Admiral Schley and developed
that Admiral Howison had expressed
certain definite convictions as to Ad-
miral SIMPSONS retention of author
ity and responsibility, even while he
was absent temporarily from the fleet
at Santiago. The challenge then was
submitted to the court, which, under
the circumstances, was narrowed to
Admiral Dewey and Rear Admiral
Benham, to pass upon. After hardly
more than Is minutes spent in retire.
ment to the consultation room of the
court Admiral Dewey briefly an
nounced that the court sustained the
challenge and that Admiral Howison
would be excused from further at
tendance. The decision came so quick.
ter Of agitation throughout the court
Es.s,r n, 80 1T 90