The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-08-29
HIS COMPETENCY LEFT TG' COURT.
Reply of the Department to Schley's
Letter, Inclosing Clipping From a
Newspaper.

for the Navy Department to hear aad
determine questions affecting the CON-
potency OF members of the court, AMI
advises Admiral Schley that the Quesr
ton OF Admiral Howisol's compats n y
will be left to the court Of inquiry 1t.
self The correspondence follows:
Washington. D. c.. Aug. 19, 1901.
To Secretary OF the Navy:
Sir:-I have ...,e honor to enclose
herewith newspaper clipping in
which Rear Admiral Henry L. Howl
son. (who has been selected 10 fill TIA
vacancy caused by the relief Of Rear
Admiral L. A. Kimberly, from the
court OF inquiry. is represented to
have expressed certain opinions. II this
statement, taken from The Boston
Record. be true, i: would, In the judg-
ment of my counsel, diSqualify him for
serving in this inquiry, l respectfully
request that copy OF this letter, with
this enclosure be submitted to Rear
Admiral Howison for his cCnside:a-
ton. and | would further request that
| may be favored with copy OF his
answer. | have entertained high per-
sonal regard for Rear Admiral Howl
son, throughout long professional
service. so that feel sure that, il the
statements expressed in the enclosed
clipping are true, Rear Admiral How
ison would not be willing to serve as
judge under such circumstances. ]
have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
W. s. SCHLEY,
Rear Admiral, U. S. n.
(The newspaper clipping referred 10
Is enclosed in Admiral Schley's letter.
Navy Department,
Washington. D. c., Aug. 20, 1901.
Rear Admiral w. S. Schley, y. S. NJ,
Washington, d. c.:
Dear Sir:-Your Letter Of the 18th
inst. enclosing newspaper clipping in
regard to alleged statements OF Rear
Admiral Henry L. Lowison, was receiV-
ed oy mail this morning. Soon after its
receipt Capt. James Parker, one OF
YOUR counsel. called at the Department
S.l stated that he intended to go TO
Boston on Saturday to make further
investigation in the premises, and
wished that no step be taken by the
Department until the result OF his visit
could be communicated to the Depart
ment. The Department would be pleas
ed to learn Immediately if it be your
desire that action be withheld for toe
present.
Respectfully,
F. W. HACKETT,
Acting Secretary.
The Arlington,
Washington. D. c.. Aug. 20, 1901.
Sir:-In reply to the Departments
letter Of this date referring to clip
ping containing alleged statement OF
Rear Admiral Henry L. Howison, |
would say that believe tAat the action |
requested should not be withheld, as
its purpose was to avoid any delay in
the court after its session had begun.
.. beg, therefore. that the requfs:
of nv letter Of yesterday may be COM
municated to Admiral Howison.
Very respectfully,
w. S. SCHLEY,
Rear Admiral U. S. n.
To the Secretary Of the Navy, Wash
ington, D. c.
Sir:-ln reply to your letter OF 18th |
inst, inelosed a newspaper Clipping |
and requesting the Department to send
it to Rear Admiral Howison, together
with copy of your letter, You are in
formed that the appointment OF Kerr
Admiral Howison as member 0: the
court of inquiry was accomplished o1y
after taking great pains to insure ab-
solute impartiality in the OFFICER Sc
lected. To question unofficiaCiy plt as
to his availability in case the Depart
me1t should require his service. Rear
Admiral Howiso1 replied: Il know of
no reason why l should not b. avail |
able for such duty should the DEPART
ment so decide. | have made no pubic
uterance relating to TIE srb'ecs AID !
have seen none Of the of ciai reports
and papers bearing upon the questions
TO be decided by the court.
Your counsel. Cao:. Parker. befo-a
the appointment had h-"7 an1ornc'H.
mentioned to the Acting Secretary u,
names Of certain rear admira S. 2nT
one OF whom. he said, would be par-
fectly satisfactory to Rear Admiral
Schley. One Of the names 50 mentione1
was that of Rear Admiral Howison It
may be added that Of four officers con-
suited by the Department, the names
of three were upon the list thus men
toned by your counsel. This much has
been detailed In order to remind you
OF the fact that a fair-minded officer
of excellent reputation and OF unblem-
ished character had been found in the
person Of Rear Admiral Howison who,
at the date Of his appointment appears
to have enjoyed the confidence Of both
the Department and yourself. Your re-
ouest is based upon a newspaper clip