The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-13
MR.. CHAMBERS LETTER.
Some of the Things The Es-Secretary
Said About Rear Admiral Evans.

The following is a part of one Of the
letters addressed to Hon. John D. Long.
secretary Of the navy, by ex-Secretary
Chandler. in relation TO the assertions
made by Rear Admiral Evans in his book.
and which forms one OF the documents
on which the reprimand of Evans was
based:
when Commander Evans was relieved
from duty there was but one proper
course open 10 him if he was dissatisfied.
He should have addressed himself to the
President OF the United States or the sec
rotary OF the navy complaining of seem
ing injustice and asking for reasons and
redress. He would have received suitable
reply and complete justice would have been
done to him. The President and the sec
rotary had the right TO give to him such
orders as they chose. He had the right in
due form to complain OF these orders TO
them and To no one else. Under our system
both the President and secretary are the
oretically and actually accessible by letter
or in person to the highest and humblest
officer and seaman In the navy. They VIII,
when thus properly asked. politely give or
withhold the reasons for their orders, act
ing as they may think due courtesy 10
their fellow-serNant of the government and
correct military administration require.
This simple principle Commander Evans
We'll understood. and he detied it. He de-
liberateiy declined to act upon it and re-
~ A0d " OlllC anu u anu
able methods. These producing no result,
he chose TO keep silent and walt for more
than sixteen years, without a written word
or complaint or any legitimate attempt 10
secure the lighting of a wrong which he
says with unjust punishment; and. in 1901,
| Tor revenge at a safe distance in time,
he enters the public press with a libel upon
the secretary of the navy, who in 1884 gave
him the orders of which he made no proper.
straishtforward. or honorable complaint
alive, and If he now wishes to know why
Secretary Folger desired to nave him de-
tached from lighthouse duty, the reasons
are and Will always be subject TO his call.
His publication of his libel upon me, is
conduct unbecominS an officer and a
gentleman.
"A few more words are necessary. Ad-
miral Evans desires To have il appear that
he was prosecuted for political reasons.
This also is not true; Until after March 4;
to be a Democrat. L have known of only
three of our naval officers who claimed
recognition of Mr.. Cleveland because they
were Democrats. i have never known OF
any nava officers who claimed favors of a
Republican administration on the ground
that they were Republicans. The qualifica-
lions based upon Democracy and persecu-
ton for Democracy's sake being set up i'm
Commander Evans's behalf. Secretary
Whitney. on March IA. 1855. restored him to
duty as inspector of the Fifth lighthouse
district. On April Z, 1885. with Admiral Belk-
nap, in whose behalf Democracy had also
been claimed. and with Mr.. Herman Win
ter, he became "A member of the board
charged with the duty OF reporting that
the Dolphin was structurally weak, and
was a worthless ship, and he did his Demo-
cratic duty in that connection. He has been
recognized and favored as a Democrat by
Democratic administrations he has never
been prosecuted or punished or in any way
unjustly treated by Republican a ninistra>
tions. but has been given service of the
highest Importance.
Far be 1t from me. however. TO say that
Admiral Evans has been unduly favored by
any administration, when fully examine
the aforesaid book, The Sailors Log My
pride In the glory which came TO my coun-
try through the naval victories of the war
with Spain is unbounded. and when 1 read
his frank admissions that he. almost alone,
In 1882. changed our naval construction
from wood TO steel ships. and thus orig
mated our new navy; I'm December, 1897. in
duced Assistant Secretary Roosevelt TO pre-
pare the navy for the approaching storm of
war; in 1898 persuaded you, with Mr.. Roose-
velt's assistance. 10 provide our fleet in
Cuban waters with toTpedo-Doat destroyeTs
and guard boats; and, above all. on July 5.
1893. commanding the h1ttleship iowa. dis
covered CerVera's feet coming out OF Santi-
ago harbor. and destroyed il. ! feel that
liberal allowances should be made by all
true Americans for any mistakes in the
smaller transactions Of life which may be
made by our greatest self-confessed and
self-recoroed naval hero Of the war OF 1898.