The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-01-01
SUMTER 8. c.. WEDNESDAY. JANUARY l. 1908
R1EAR ADMIRAT. HAS RESIGNED


washington, Dec. 24-President
Roosevelt today received and accepted
the resignation Of Rear Admiral VIII
ard H. Brownson as chief of the
bureau Of navigation. The resigna-
tion takes effect immediately and
Capt, Cameron Nc r. winslow has
been appointed to succeed the admi-
raj. N, reason for the resignation is
eiven at tho White House.
Diligent inquiry from Rear Admiral
Brownson, from Secretary Metcalf and
at the White House failed to develop
the reason foe;sthe seemingly sudden
retirement Of the rear admiral from
the navigation bureau. Admiral
'hrownson takss the position that the
subject Il one for the discussion OF
has superior oficer. Secretary Met
calf passes the responsibility of stat
Ing tho reason OF the resignation to
President koosevest. Secretary Lo.
'eh speaking for the president, says
thht 40 Information can be obtained
'srcrn that source.
Two theories have been advanced d
So being suflcient In themselves TO
bring forth the letter of resignation
One Of these reasons Is that the ad-
miral jnnds himself unable 20 agree
with the ideas Of the president re.
sarding certain iimportant policies to
b pursaed by the bureau OF naviga-
tion. Such disagreement, honestly
.sntertained. would leave the admiral
but one course. and that is to take his
place ON the retired list and reiin-
quish the active management of the
bureau.
The other reason II that the rear
admiral. being on the retired list OF
the navy. may not be legally connrm-
ed by the senate to an appointment
to active duty. Itis known that the
Judge advocate's. ~ pattment Of the
navy has been wrsss1ing with this le-
"A question. with special reference to
The case OF Admiral Brownson. for
ssvsrai ws>ks past, It asso is known
that an opinion on the question has
recently been rendered. What the
erect of this opinion - can only Be
sormised, Thoss Who believp that Il
Aa&u& >6s6isS ~ 6ls yssiSHxtIoExi v nay
that the opinion set forth the law to
be that bis conf,rmatio1 could not
be legally executed by U(s's>nate.
- A Recess Appointmeut.
Admiral Brownson's appointment
AZ chief Of the bureau Of navigation
was made by the president during the
recess OF congress-. 1t is customary
for the names of recess appointments
to 60 to the senate on its next conven.
Ing after the appointnisuts haze been
made. In the present case and be-
cause Of the uncertainty Ok the right
OF q retired naval oflcer tb be as
signed to active duty, Admiral Brown
sons name has been withheld from
the senate pending the rendering of
the legal opinion In the case. The
resignation and its acceptance viii
obviate the raising OF the question be-
tween the legislative and executive
departments. OF the governments as
to the right OF retired officers to be
appointed to active duty in time of
peace. "t
Since Admiral Brownson took COM
unand OF the bursau OF navigation, that
bureau has had to handle the question
Of the cruise OF the Atlantic feet to
(he Pacific. the greatest peace move
Of the navy during Its history. The
resignstion Of Admiral Brownson as
chief Of tie bureau OF navigation has
the effect OF placing him In his
former position on the retired list of
the navy.
Commander Winslow. who has been
Designated TO act as the head of the
bureau, has for some time
past been assistant to Admiral Brown
son. Commander Winslow is anxious
to obtain command OF the new bat
tleship New Hampshire so 1t is be-
lisved that his present designation Is
Intended to bridge over On interval
during which the president can make
q selection OF another officer. Among
the names mentioned In that connec-
ton 10 that Of Capt. Richardson Clo-
yer. at present head OF the board of
inspection and survey.
Another uaYme which A in knnwp