Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-18
GRANT CLUB BANauETs pEIGNAN.
MemoriaIix Congress to Admit Brave
IOMRn to AnnanOlis.

Memorabilia to Admit Brave
IOwan to Annapolis.
DIES MONIES. Nov. 17.--(Special Tele-
gram. )-Chief Boatswain's Mate Deignan
was banqueted here this evening by the
Grant club before leaving on his return
to the Resolute at Brooklyn. The club,
which is 1owa's foremost organization OF
business men and state officers, adopted a
memorial to congress requesting the pass
age of a special law to admit Deignan to
Annapolis.
When Deignan left his home at Stuart
this forenoon, the L. L. g. club girls. who
captured and kissed him ON his arrival,
were there to bid him farewell, also a great
crowd. After he had b-arded the train he
stepped off for one last handshake with Mss
Veronica Ryan, the vice president of the
club. whom he has shown special favor dur
ing his short stay, leaving Miss Hackthorne,
his old sweetheart out In the cold. Deignan
spent part Of the day at Valley Junction,
where he was given a big public reception
at the school house. When he arrived In
Des Moines 1000 people were at the train
to meet him. He left on the Rock Island at
$3.50 tonight and will reach Chicago at 8
tomorrow. leaving at $3.50 on the Lake
Shore. aus, .r,... ...- a
The memorial adopted for Deignan fol-
lows: .-..- -. ...t... ....
To the Congress Of the United States: The
people Of the United States have recognized
with universal enthusiasm the heroic service
to the nation Of the brave crew that assisted
Lieutenant Richmond Pearson Hobson on the
morning OF June g In taking the steamer
Merrimac, amidst q hail Of shot and shell,
into the mouth Of the harpor Of Santiago de
Cuba for the purpose Of blocking the egress
of the Spanish feet. The GOODNESS and Skill
with which the attempt was made astonished
the world and exalted our faith In the
courage and patriotism Of the youth Of the
republic. 1t is with pride, therefore, that
the people Of this state can say that the man
who steered the Merrimacs was a son Of
Iowa-Osborn Warren Delgnan OF Stuart
We will not attempt to add to the praises al
ready bestowed upon him and his associates
Our national ACKNOWLEDGEMENT for their
services-has promoted them to higher rank
In the naval service. Their fame is secure
Like the typical youth Of our fair land, Os.
born Deignan wishes to rise higher in the
ranks of his profession. He wishes to enter
that splendid training school where the IA
nous sons Of our navy have been educated
the Naval academy OF the United States al
Annapolis. His advancement in the naval
service OF his country depends upon his pos.
session of a certificate of graduation from
that institution. But the age requirements
now enforced prevent his admission to the
academy.
Therefore. we, the members Of the Gran,
club of the city of Des Moines. Join with the
citizens of his native city In urging upon
the congress Of the United States the passage
of a special act permitting Osborn Warren
Deignan to enter the Naval academy Of An
napolis. where he may obtain the education
he so much desires.
And We respectfully request the members
OF congress from the state OF Iowa to use all
proper means to secure the passage Of such
an act as a partial recognition of the heroic
services of Osborn Deignan for our nation
in the hour of its need.