Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-19
IN THE HOUSE.
Sampson SchIey Dispute Crops Out in
Naval Bill Debate.

Washington, May 1S.-Saturdays
session of the House was devoted to
the naval appropriation bill, the most
important feature of the discussion in
volving a revival of the Sampson
Schley controversy. This arose over
an amendment to the bill which was
presented by Mudd of Maryland, and
which was adopted. prohibiting the
use of Maclay's history of the navy
as a textbook at the Naval Academy.
Consideration of the measure was not
finished before the House adjourned.
In the absence of Speaker Henderson
at the Rosecrans exercises at Airing
ton, Dalzell of Pennsylvania, acted as
Speaker. On the naval bill being read
for amendment, Cannon made a point
of order against the paragraph provid-
ing for board to locate naval maya
zine between Boston and Portsmouth
on the New England coast. The point
was sustained by the Chair and the
paragraph went out
Butler of Pennsylvania, offered an
amendment, which was agreed to, ap-
propriating $4,000 for the continuance
OF the erection of a storehouse for
naval supplies at League Island navy
yard.
On n point of order made by Can
non, the appropriation Of 100000 for
the commencement of an experiment
station and testing laboratory at An
napolis, in the department of marine
engineering and naval construction,
was ruled out.
Mudd at this point offered his
amendment to exclude Maclay's history
from the Naval Academy and from
ship and government libraries. Day
ton made the point of order against
the amendment, and the Chair sus-
tanned the point.
Mudd then offered a substitute
amendment providing that no part of
the money appropriated in the para
graph under consideration should be
expended in the purchase of any his
tory of the Spanish American war
written by Edgar Stanton Maclay for
use at the Naval Academy, in ships
libraries or i'm any part of the naval
establishment of the United States
Dayton made the usual point of order
against the substitute amendment. but
the Chair held that the amendment
was germane.
Mudd then declared that the President
had stated to him that this work should
never be used.
Pearre of Maryland said he wanted to
join his colleague In his unqualified adj
miration for that splendid American and
magnificent sea fighter. Rear Admiral
Schley. who was the real hero of San
tiago.
Foss of Illinois. said he had supposed
the Sampson-Schley controversy was
dead. The controversy, he said, ought to
have been closed when the court of in
CURRY made its findings and when the
President reviewed those findings The
honor of the Santiago campaign is large
enough for all, said Foss. ''The Ameri-
can navy will live long after the Samp-
sons and the Schleys are gone"
Schirm of Maryland, in making his
maiden effort before the House, said that
truth had been perverted by Macay wha
had attempted to besmirch the record OF
one of the most Industrious naval officers
OF his time. He characterized the act of
Maclay as "dastardly." and he wanted
the House to stand by the President, who
had publicly announced that Maclay's
history should find no place in the cur
riculum of the Naval Academy or in
ships libraries.
Cannon said he did not believe any,
body in the House or the country be-
lieyed that Schley was a coward or that
MaSlay was telling the truth when he
wrote about Schley as he did. He
Thought, however, as Maclay had been
kicked out of the service, it came with
rather bad grace to attach the amend
not change the judgment of mankind as
to Schleys standing The amendment
was then adopted without dissenting