Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1901 — SAMPSON-MORQAN INCIDENT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SAMPSON-MORQAN INCIDENT.

Rear Admiral Sampson, jn official cor respondent made public in Washington, has taken a position distinctly-offensive to American ideas, says a correspondent. The naval appropriation bill authorized the President to promote six warrant officers in the navy to the grade of ensign each year after an examination to determine their qualifications. A young gunner in the navy named Morgan, who was iu charge of the divers that investigated the wreck of the Maine, and afterward served With Sampson nil the flagship New York, applied to his former commander for recommendations for promotion under the provision referred to. Capt. Sigsbee gave him a hearty indorsement. but Admiral Sampson, while testifying to hi- efficiency as a non-commis-sioned officer and his soldierly appearance and behavior, advised against liis advancement on the ground that lie had not enjoyed the social advantages necessary tu qualify him to enter the navy. The admiral also expressed the hope that the Secretary of the Navy would not carry out that provision of the bill which authorizes the promotion of warrant officers because the chief duty of the navy in time of peace is to represent the country abroad, and the officers should therefore be men of refinement. Secretary Long and the President do not agree with Admiral Sampson. While Sampson will be criticised aud denounced for snobbishness .by the public generally, his position will be sustained by The officers of tlie navy, who have assumed to be the aristocracy and exclusive branch of the government and have stubbornly op nosed every proposition that looked to the promotion of men from the. ranks. Then* are now oil the list several officers, like Admiral llichhom, who came into the service from civil life through the engineer and construction corps, but since 1860 no one has been commissioned who lias not been educated at Annapolis. The law authorizes the President to promote private soldiers who have distinguished themselves in. the army after an examination that shall demonstrate the mental and moral qualifications, but .this lias never liecu allowed in the navy until now. The engineer corps in the navy have complained of social ostracism by the officers of the line in eases where the officers entered the* service from civil life. Candidates for paymaster and surgeon have been compelled To bring powerful social influences to secure appointments, and there is no question that Admiral Sampson has expressed the almost unanimous sentiments of the navy.

REAR ADMIRAL SAMPSON.