Arizona daily citizen. (Tucson, Ariz. Territory [i.e. Ariz.]) 1884-1901, 1901-03-07
MEASURING
ADMIRAL SAMPSON.

The st Paul Dispatch sizes up
Admiral Sampson in the following Wig
orous and interesting manner;
Rear Admiral Sampson has made an
other display OF traits that furnish Il e
public with accurate measurements o!
the man. Intellectually he gave his
meaku ments in the Santiago campaign
and provsd his high qualifications. For
the ability shown in the planning ofthat
campaign, whose result was largely due
to his precision, give him due praise.
But when, TO bring himself within the
prize money law, he made his first sig
nal to Schley notice that he was Gin
hailing distance" so as to fasten upon a
share in the prize money, and when,
again, he sent in force OF sal ors to
take possession of the ships that had
surrendered in the harbor to Gen. Shat
ter, so that they could be added to the
prize-money fund, he revealed an avidity
for money that created disgust which
completely eclipsed in the public esti-
nation whatever merit he had won as
commander OF the squadron.
Now he makes a display of another
trait which will still further sink him in
public esteem. 1t calls for more than
passing mention because it is said that
his sentiment is shared largely by naval
officers. Charles Morgan. gunner, on
the New York, one of 1.-THE men behind
the guns, y to whom Schley said the
victory was due, asked his admiral to
testify to the department his fitness for
appointment as an ensign under the
provisions of the pending bill. This
letter Sampson forwarded to Secretary
Long with an Endorsement He said
Morgan has good professional ability"
and "a gentlemanly bearing" except
ional among warrant officers. He would,
ii commissioned, compare favorably,
both professionally and in personal con-
duct and bearing, with other officers of
that grade, as far as his technical edu-
cation would permit"
He then enters general protest
against any appointments being made
under the bill, and it is in the reason
assigned that we see still more of this
officers character. He objects because
these warrant officers ''are recruited
from class of men who have not had
the social advantages that are requisite |
for commissioned officer, who should |
be men of rafnamnr,A 4, r - ----- |
embarrassments, as they would have to
be treated as officers, and could not be
excluded from the functions in which |
our naval officers are supposed to shine
on foreign stations. "Their proper |
place is that of leading men among the
crew and not as representatives of the |
country in the ward room and steerage.
1t is refreshing to know that Secretary
Long, uninfuenced by his marriage con-
nection with the admiral, turned his re-
commentator down, and says he will
gladly appoint this man if authorized,
having drafted the provision himself
that permits it.
Years ago the same snobbishness pre-
vailed in the regular army, but it has
largely disappeared before the influx of
men from the ranks that congress long
ago permitted. 1t is high time that it
be driven out of the navy. 1t has no
foundation. Cadets at Annapolis come
from all sections of the country, all
ranks and conditions of life. A naval I
constructor, high up in numbers, was
a poor German boy in this state, his
father pioneer farmer killed in the in
dian massacre What is there OF magic !
in four-year course at the naval school
that confers "social distinction" or in
fuses refinement" should it not exist
in the cadets nature2 To the cupidty
shown at Santiago Sampson now adds
an insufferable snobbishness.