The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1902-01-22
ARTHUR ROPES, General Editor.
TO THE VERMONT DELEGA-
TION IN CONGRESS.


AS voiced by the newspaper press
of the country, in respect of its naval
representative in England, the popu-
lar desire clearly is that Congress
shall create the grade of vice admiral,
to be filled, on appointment by the
President, by Capt. Charles E. Clark
of the Oregon. Unselfish, apprecia-
tive officers of the navy, even some
who would thus be outranked, but
who CALAMITY acknowledge the eXcep-
tional brilliancy and Importance of a
comrades achievements have frankly
expressed their opinion that Captain
Clark ought to be thus signally distin-
guished.
President Roosevelt no doubt would
be glad to have the opportunity and
the pleasure of nominating Captain
Clark to the Office of vice admiral.
Nevertheless, some who have been
foremost in desiring this, the one APP
propriate and adequate recognition of
the glory and honor the Captain of
the Oregon, in the cruise from the
Golden Gate and in the battle of San
tiago de Cuba, shed upon his coun-
try's arms, have had an underlying
feeling that circumstances might put
out of the question this just DISPOSE
ton of matter involving the good
fame of the nation, and the express
sion of the peoples sense of honor and
gratitude: that the Schley- Sampson
mbroglio-unhappy progeny of weak
administration of the navy department
would be responsible for a half
measure, for a halt in the execution
of Justice where there should be ac-
ton prompt, decisive and complete,
full measure of official honor and
recognition, and should have been
before the Oregon's commander, by
reason of the disability resulting from
the long and unparalleled strain upon
body and mind, descended from the
quarterback of his ship.
1t may appear that, III Congress,
partisans of both Schley and Samp-
son might be willing to open the
ranks of the rear admirals for the ad-
mission of Capt Clark, or might not
object to putting him at the head in
that grade but might oppose and de-
feat proposition to make him vice
admiral The reason for halt at
half way i'll the advancement of this
officer to a well earned rank need not
be elucidated. Congress will unques-
tionably have enough of national pride
not to send to England, still bearing
a captains commission, so conspicu-
Gus an example of the ingratitude of
republics as in that case would be
the hero of the most memorable cruise
in all history, followed by achieve
ments in battle which in England,
British naval officers of high rank
have declared would be speedily re-
warded with an admiral's insignia.
So, compromise on the rank of rear
admiral may be the result of pending
consideration by Congress and Presi-
dent,
The distinction of vice admiral,
however, will not be won for Captain
Clark if it is not proposed, and the
proposition pressed with zeal and re-
spectful insistence; but if the Ameri-
can people must rest content with the
rank of rear admiral for the naval Off
Ger who shall represent them at the
coronation of King Edward, and who
is acknowledged to be, far and away,
the hero in professional achievement
and moral greatness, in the late war
with Spain, in respect of naval opera
tons III the waters of the Americas,
then he should be placed in the front
row of rear admirals-and at its head
To this end, the vice admiralship for
Captain Clark, or chief among the
rear admirals-- Vermont admonishes
its delegation in Congress to devote
its utmost endeavors.