The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-25
HoBsoN HAS LOST CASTE.
(BY A. w. BUTT.)

Washington. December 22.-(Special te
| Atlanta Journal. Satan fell from heaven
no more rapidly than Lieutenant Hobson
has fallen in the esteem of public officials
and his fellow officers here Feeling to-
ward the hero of the Merr.mac" has I'M
| dergone complete reversion since the
Kissing episode began. The resentment felt
toward him among the Southern contingent
| here is mingleA with pity that such glory
as he won at Santiago should be smirched
by his conduct On his tour West.
The navy IS In arms in protest at his
belittling his deed. and nearly every Off
| Ger here has denounced his action in terms
OF bitterness and resentment. To quote
one is to quote adj. They feel that the
esprit de corps of the service has suffered
more by his recent conduct West than it
had gained by his gallant sacrifice in the
harbor of Santiago.
up to the present time" said a young
lieutenant commander to me. "the heroes
Of the navy have kept in the background
there has been no vainglorlous Haunting Of
their deeds before the public.
THE mdNesty of our heroes have been
our pride. The whole navy condemned that
first kiss up there In Long Island. He
should never have permitted himself to be
made cheap by maudling. idiotic girl.
AS TO his tour and osculatory feats in the
West. they have lowered us in the eyes Of
the naval officers OF the world"
NO naval officer will ever be quoted In
criticism OF another officer. The esprit de
corps prohibits it. but to get the estima-
tiuh OF Hobson enc has only to enter the
doors OF the Army and Navy club. Not
one officer palliates the offense. The most
intimate friend he has in the service has
no excuse to offer for him. The men who
ieel 1t most deeply, however, are the
Southern members Of congress.
on the pity. OF It," is their cry. and
have talkea 10 many democrats but not
one will say word OF criticism for pub
LEGATION. They will tell you privately that
they feel personal injury has been done
them. There Is hardly one who has not IN
some public utterance held the Hero Of
tae Merrimac" up as typical Southerner.
rney have placed him side by side with
wheeler and find their idol but clay is a
cuss.
Speaker Reeds remark when asked as to
MS opinion on the matter. said.
IlEat young man should be sent out of
the country. What he needs now most is
salt bath" That was the speakers la
comic way OF saying he is too fresh.
~
II is said here that after the Kansas civ
reception that Secretary Long wirei him
to act with more discretion; that he was
.mperil!ng his reputation. Tho secretary
mas been urged to recall him and admin
ster rebuke. but the secretary fett that
TINS would be an exaggeration of the pre
.ogatlve given him. and | am told, though
MI Long Will not discuss 1t, that ne took
ule gentier course OF appealing TO his pride.
Hls Fellow officers say that IL is due 10
Long s telegram that there was no repetl
night. 'AA'
HIS conduct is inexplicable to some in
,lsnl OF past events II has come to my
knowledge. and can vouch for the truth
ca u, uat Hobson refused an offer of $50 900
70 go on limited lecturing tour. giving
d 8 reason for so doing that TO turn his
seed into money would be to belittle n
Wy VIII be hard TO strike a trial balance
"a nus character. both sides OF the ledger
pe'ns carefully considered and added up