The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-05-18
Discussion Provoked by His Point of Or
der Against Consideration of Nh.
Mudd's Proposition - Mr.. Williams
Again Scores Admiral Crowninshield.


sas adopted. but it was not until after
spirited debate had taken place. in which
the advantage was decidedly with the
democrats.
Mr. Dayton Admits Error.
The amendment might have been
agreed to without exciting any particu-
,ar attention but for the mistake made
by Representative Dayton rep, W. Val.
which. after II was too late, he admitted
was a blunder. The House would have
adopted ne amendment after the speech
by Mr.. Mudd, which was brief and con-
seryative.
While depouncing Maclay and his book.
and incidentally paying his compliments
to Rear Admiral Taylor, the present chief
of the Bureau Of Navigation Mr.. Mudd
did not enter into the merits of the Schley
controversy, having stated several days
ago that he would not do SO owing to the
recent death of Rear Admiral Sampson.
MIR. Dayton. however. made a point Of
order against the amendment and pro-
ceeded TO state why il should not have
been offered.
This was followed by speech by Rep
resentative Pearre. Then Chairman Foss
undertook 10 ccplore THE reopening of
the controversy"
Representative Dayton has bee1 &C
credited with being an ardent anti-Schley
partisan. and his objection afforded the
opening which the Democra,. were
quietly awaiting Once # was made. they
rushed TO the front. Led by Representa-
tive Williams of Mississippi. and assisted
by the Maryland Republican delegation.
they made things decided uncomfortable
for the majority for nearly an hour.
Mr.. Williams Amplifies Remarks.
Mr.. Williams took occasion to amplify
the remarks which he made the day be-
fore apropos of THE same subject. The
adroit and clever speech, in which be
handled Representative Dayton. while
welding the, whip of sarcasm, was
couched SO dIplomatically and done in
such a pleasant manner that the West
Virginia member could not take offense.
but at the same time it afforded the
minority great deal of amusement.
Mr.. Mudd called up his amendment when
the paragraph providing for the purchase
of books and other supplies for the Naval
Academy was reached in the reading of
the bill. Its pufport was TO preclude the
use Vi hdGidf history IN inc ACADEMY
and on board ship fer all time.
Mr.. Dayton made a point of order that
such an amendment could not be added to
bill which made an appropriation cover
ing but one year. This was sustained by
the chairman. Mr.. Sherman of New York
Mr.. Mudd then offered the following
amendment limiting the time TO one year
Provided. however. That no part of the
money appropriated in this paragraph or
elsewhere be expended in the purchase Of
any history of the Spanish American war.
written by Edgar Stanton Maclay. for
use at the Naval Academy, in ships Ii
braries. or in any other part of the naval
establishment of the United States"
Again Mr.. Dayton made the point of Oh
der, in order to defeat the amendment.
that II was not germane to the measure.
That opened up the controversy.
Mr.. Mudd said he did not desire to dis
cuss the merits Of the controversy. He
called attention TO the fact that the first
two volumes of Maclay's history had been
in use at the Academy for some time. and
he then read from the statement OF Sec
rotary Long. in which he declared that
the third volume could not be used in
its original form. Mr.. Mudd argued that
no order had been issued barring the re-
vised and expurgated edition.
Rear Admiral Taylor's Testimony.
Rear Admiral Taylor was now the head
of the Bureau of Navigation, and his tes-
tfmony before the court of inquiry said
Mr.. Mudd, showed that he was inimical to
Admiral Schley. He stated then, Mr..
Mudd said, that the Brooklyn had in her
loop gone q mile and one-half from the
battle line, while Admiral Schley and
pther witnesses declared that she did not
70 q greater distance than her tactical
diameter.
He was not. he said. going to trust the
question Of text books 10. the Judgment OF
q man who entertained such views and
opinions. Democratic applause greeted
this statement.
Further, Admiral Taylor's vessel, the
Indiana. did not take a conspicuous part
in the battle OF Santiago. yet Admiral Tay-
Ter had declared that it was one of the
l3-inch shots from the Indiana which
struck the Maria Teresa. The report OF
Admiral Sampson showed that no l3-inch
shots struck that vessel.
This, Mr. Mndd commended. showed the
unfriendly attitude Of Admiral Taylor, and
he wanted Il made in.Scssible for him TO
allow the expurgated Maclay history dged
in the navy.
Mr.. Dayton wanted to know II II was not
true that the President had told him
fMudd) that he would not allow the book
TO be used while he was President Mr.
Mudd said he was violating no confidence
to say that II was true. but that was not
all that the President had told him
Mr. Mudd said that he admired the Pres
ident, but that he had told him plainly
that he differed widely with him on the
subject OF the schley matter. The Demo-
Gratis appiauded Mr.. Mudd's statements.
A Tribute to Admiral Schley.
Mr. Pearre (Rep., Md followed. He
denounced Maclay. and declared his un-
qualified confidence in the integrity. the
patriotism, and courage of Admiral Schley.
Continuing. Mr.. Pearre paid a tribute TO
be Maryland naval hero. which the Demo-
rats apDisuded.
Mr.. Foss. the chairman OF the Naval
Committee. then entered into the dis
.ussion. deplorlng the reopening OF the
;chley controversy. His speech was an
Eloquent effort. but was more OF a lauda- |
ion of the navy than a discussion OF |
he amendment pending.
He spoke about the Recording Angel
writing the true history. which would
give dne credit 10 every man Of the
navy. from the humble. hard working coal
Continued or Fourth p1se)