Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1899 — SCHLEY OUTRANKS SAMPSON. [ARTICLE]

SCHLEY OUTRANKS SAMPSON.

Two Numbers Separate the Rival Claimants in the List. Winfield Scott Schley uow outranks W. T. Sampson in the list of the rear admirals of the navy by two numbers. This was accomplished when the Senate in executive session took up the naval nominations and confirmed them. Under the promotions ordered by the naval personnel bill all of the commodores and a few of the captains are advanced to the grade of rear admiral. The bill provides that there shall be eighteen officers of that grade, ranking as follows: McNair, Howell, Howison, Kautz, Remey, Farquhar, Watson, Philip, Robeson, Schley, Casey, Sampson, Cromwell, Higginson, Picking, Rodgers, Kempff and Sumner. According to this arrangement Schley stands tenth and Sampson twelfth on the list. Curiously enough, Watson, who has had more cause for complaint against the administration than any other naval officer, will outrank both Schley and Sampson. Admiral Howison will retire next October, Admiral McNair next January and Admiral Kautz will also retire Jan. 29, 1901, and these retirements will leave Schley seventh and Sampson ninth on the list of rear admirals. By this arrangement both Schley and Sampson are deprived of any reward for gallantry and heroism displayed during the war, but this privation, in the minds of many Senators, seems to be necessary to subserve the ends of justice.