The Monticellonian., 1898-07-01

WASHINGTON. June 27-The pres
 ident sent the following message to congress-:
 To THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: On the morning of the third of June, lses, Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond r. Hobson. [. 5. N with a volunteer crew of seven men. in charge of the partially disman-
 tied collier -Merimaee = entered the fortified harbor of Santiago de cuba for the purpose of
 sinking the collier in the narrowest portion of the channel, and thus iuterp0sing ,erous obstacle to the egress of the spanish fleet, which had recently entare that harbor This Enterprise demanding eoolness judgment and bravery am JuHtinR t1 haroisn, was carried into successful execution in the face of per- sistent fire from tue hostile fl hfet well as from the Qualifications on shore
 Rear Admiral sampson commander in-chlef Of our naval forces iH Cuban waters, in an ot= hcal report datel ..Of Santiago de Cuba June 8, ls9s. aud addressed t3 the secretary of the
 navy, referring to AIr Hobson gallant exploit.
 among other thiH2s. says
 "I can not myself too earnestly express my appreciation of the conduct af Mir Hobson and his gallant crew 1 venture to say that more brave ami daring thing has not baen done since Gushing blew up the Albemarle
 The members of the crew who were with MT Robson nn this occasion have already been rewarded lar Their service, by advancement which, under tha provisions ot law ani regula- tion, the secretary Of the navy was au- thOrized to makes and the nomination to the senate of NaHli Gadat PoNhil who. in q steam launch, followed the NerrImac on her | 9erilous trip for 9he purpose ef reScuins her
 fOrye after the sinking of that vessel to be ad- 1 Vanced in rank to the grddc of ensign has been l Rrepared and will ba suhm tied. Cushing with | whose gallant act in blowing up the ram Al- 1 bemare. during the civil war, Admiral Sampson l compared Alr Hobsans sinking of the Merri-
 mac received the thanks ot congress upon rec | ommendatIon of the president by name, and
 was, in consequence, under the provisions ot section l59s of the revised statutes, ad- l vanced ole grade such advance
 ment embracing 5a numbers. The
 section cited apples, however to
 line officers onlY. and Afr H9bson being mem Der of the stan of the navy could not, under it's provisions be se advanced
 In considering the question of suitably re-
 warding Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson for his valiant eon3uet on the occasion re ferred to, have deemed it proper td address this message ta you with the recommendation that he receive the thanks
 of congress. and further. that he be transferred to the line ut the naEY ant promoted to such position thereln as the president, by and with the advice and consent Of the senate, may de- termue
 Mr. Hobsan transfer from the construction corp, to the line k fully warranted he having
 received the necessary technical training as q
 graduate of the naval academy, where he stood No. in hi, elas>s and sHab action is reeom- mended, partly in deferance tn what is under stood ta be hls o8a desiee. although, he being now q prisoner in the hands of the enemy, no direct communication on the subject has heen
 received from him, and partly for the reason
 that the abilities displayed by him at santiago are of such character as to indicate especial fitness for he duties of the tiae.
 Signed WILLIAM MCKINLEY
 EXECUTIVE MANSION. June 2 1898