The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-05-07
WILLIAM THOMAS SAMPSON


New York Sun-The death of William T.
Sampson has ended a career upon which
fortune had Iavished peculiar favor. While
it had known great trouble, it had been
blessed with what makes happiness far
beyond the lot Of most men whose lives
have been devoted. like SIMPSONS, 20
their coURtry's service. His devoted wife
viii recall this with consolation, even at
his grave.
Sampson had gained in his profession the
distinction that comes to men OF few gen
eraticus. He had BEEN the supreme com
mandGr in a war that closed with victory.
in which he personally had been the cen
traI figure, and in the conflict that was
stirred up around him afteFward by the
unhappy and unaCcoUntabIe passions that
war not infregUentIy arouscs he had the
support that the soldier prizes most He
enjoyed the recognition and the praise of
his commander n-ChieS. the President:
the love and the admiration CT his suboE-
dinates. the captains ana the sailors Of
his feet and the consciousness that there
WIS no stain upon his honor IN compari-
son with those, the dishonesty and the
meauness OF rivals. and even the thank
lessEcss Of political prejudice which tc
impartial onIOokers made his later years
a tragedy were tTihing
The United States Navy viii bow its
head about Simpsons bier with pride in
his memory which grief and modification
at the treatment he received from his
country cannot cverwhelm.
Philadelphia Press-AdmiraI Sampson
died Yesterday the pathetic victim Of pub
tic cIamoT and private prejudice. He had
followed the flag Of his country fer more
than twoscore years. Boy ard man. be
had served in two wars. He had shzred
the fate OF great naval engagementg
when he was rarely turned Of twenty.
and in his mature years he had conduct.
ed the blockade and planned che battle
which drove the Spanish flag from wat
ers where it, OF all Gags. was first seen
4G0 years before 3 Tfs rn5ya-g;u
were all denied him He was traauced
and attacked His motives were aspersed
his honor assaiied and his hunOrs OBJ
structed. opposed and defeated. HIS Gay
aEd generation. the Senate ana a clam
crins press denied him the place which
history VIII UnhesitGtinEly and unques-
tionably give IGt0 the long and Cdious
conflict. il IS unnecessary 70 enter IL
killed him. He had horne years OF sArv-
ice, battle and cruise. study and resp0n-
sibllity. command and the work Of render
ing victory assured when q battle aD-
peared- With history he Is safe
and IN history his VIII be the sad 5nd
pathetic lot fer all time 10 point the
moral and enforce the annals of unTe-
warded msri: and Of great services whose
adequate record was denied the Navy
Register and must be sought on his tomb
stc=e.
Baltimore Sun-AdmfraI William T
Sampson, who died IN Washington yes
terday. wiz long be remembered in con-
nection with one OF the most unfortunate
controversies in the history OF the navy
There Is a fine old adage which teaches
that Of the dead nothing should be said
except what is kindly. This is an injunc-
ton which the world usually respects. Of
admiral Simpsons professional ability
there has never been any question In
many respects he was one Of the best
eqUiPpe Ulcers OF the navy, thoroughly
veTsed i the technicaIities of the profes-
sion During the war with Spain he com
mandeJ one Of the largest fleets OF modern
times allf handled it n the main with ex-
ceptional skill. The controversy which
culniDa ed in the Schley court OF inquiry
and its unsatisfactory verdict created
painful impression throughout the coun-
try. More tact oE Admiral SIMPSONS
part after the battle Of Santiago would
have made him one OF the most popular
officers in the service It is to be re-
GREETED that in this crisis in his career
he did not have the advice Of wiser and
more prudent eounseIors.
New York Worldly the death OF Rear
Admiral William T Sampson the navy and
the country have lost an officer and citi-
zen of distinguished record and many ad-
mirable qualities. He was close stu
dent OF his profession and capable com
mander. and to his careful preparations
for the great naval battle of Santiago
much credit for its success is unquestion-
ably due. Regret that his last days we're
embitteTed by disputes over the conduct
OF the campaign and Us rewards will be
coupled with the hope that the unfortu-
nate controversy may rest for the i'm
partial and dIspassionate summing up OF
history.
Philadelphia Ledger = He had great
abilities, and served his country faith
fully for more than forty years. It is
worthy OF note. moreover. that, notwith-