The Tucson citizen., 1902-01-21
THE sCnLEY CONTROVERSY.

dispatch from Washington states
that the President aided by the At
torney General is giving a thorough
review to the evidence brought out
in the Schley court of inquiry. and
that he intends to go into the question
so deeply and fully that when he gives
his opinion it will end the controversy
for all time.
Admiral Schley has given the Presi-
dent the opportunity to end the con-
troversy for all time by appealing to
him from the decision of the majority
of the Court of Inquiry. The President
is the commander -in-chief Of the Navy
as we'll as the Army, and In that capa-
city he has been asked by Schley to
disapprove the verdict rendered by
Ramsey and Benham.
When Admiral Schley receives from
the President the justice that has been
denied him by the majority OF the
Court of Inquiry, the agitation Will
cease and the controversy will end.
The American people will never ac-
cept the fnGlngs of the majority OF
the court as final, nor will they keep
ouiet as long as an undeserved stigma
rests upon the reputation of an officer
who has served mis- country faithfully
and with distinction.
President Roosevelt must know. II
thD
that the country has been profoundly
stirred by the wrong which has been
done to Admiral Schley. The feeling of
resentment Is neither sectional nor
partisan. When whole nation Is
reused it is idle to expect the clamor
10 subside or the protest to be hushed
until the wrong has been righted. Even
il popular indignation had not found
expression, and If the people had been
Indifferent, it would none the less be
the Presidents duty as well as his
privilege. to intervene if justice has
not been accorded Admiral Scbley.
1t Is said that the controversy ought
-
Navy" Surely it cannot be to the Navy s
interest that a brave and efficient Of
ficer should be condemned without a
complete and impartial consideration
of the testimony adduced in his be-
half. 1t cannot be to the interest of the
Navy to Withhold honor from those TO
whom honor is due 1t cannot be to the
interest of the Navy to place stigma
upon the reputation of an officer who
has served his country with distinc-
tion. The people of the United States
have too high an opinion of the Navy
to believe that it is willing to achieve
fame or to promote its interests by
such unworthy methods.
AS commander-in-chief of the
Navy, President Roosevelt is sincerely
anxious, no doubt, to make the service
one of which the people may be proud
and worthy of its glorious traditions.
He can disapprove a verdict which the
people with remarkable unanimity have
already repudated with unmistakable
plainness In uoing this simple and
necessary act of justice he wnl do
more to promote the interests of the
Navy than he could by exercising his
authority in any other way.
II MIR. Roosevelt really desires to
''end the Schley controversy y'-and to
end it in a way which will satisfy the
vast majority OF the American people
he has only to disapproyc the verdict
which most Of his fellow citizens have
condemned. Justice for Admiral
Schley is the oemand of the people OF
all par,es and of all sections. The
President has a great opportunity tc
promote the interests Of the Navy, tc
serve the cause of justice and to re-
spcct the wishes of the people.