The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-28
Two Messages to Congress.
Continued from First Page.)

under the provision of section 1903 of
the revised statutes, advanced one
grade, such advancement embracing Sc
numbers. The section cited applies.
however, to line officers only, and Mr..
Hobson, being a member of the staff of
the Navy, could not under its provisions
be so advanced.
In considering the question of suitably
rewarding Assistant Naval Constructor
Hobson for his gallant conduct on the
occasion referred to, / have deemed it
proper to address this message to you
with the recommendation that he receive
the thanks of Congress, and, further.
that he be transferred to the line of
the navy. and promoted to such position
therein as the President, by, and with
your advice and consent, may determine.
Mr. Hobson's transfer from the con
struction corps TO the line is fully war
ranted. he having received the neces-
sary technical training as a graduate of
Il naval academy. where he stood A
in his class, and such action is recon-
mended partly i'm Difference to what is
understood to be his own desire, al
though, he being now a prisoner in the
HuiiuS VI lliG GicihS, no NiICCI COtllilluHl-
cation on the subject has been received
from him, and partly for the reason that
the abilities displayed by him at San
tiago, are of such character as to indi-
cate especial fitness for the duties of
the line.
WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, June p, 1898.
In the second message the President
recounts the story of the conflict in the
Bay of Cardenas, Cuba. on May II. in
which the naval torpedo boat Wins
low was disabled. her commander
wounded. and one of her officers and a
part of her crew killed, by the enemy's
fire.
In the face of a most CALLING fire from
the enemy's guns, the revenue cutter
Hudson, commanded by First Lieuten
ant Frank IL. NewcOmb, United States
Revenue Cutter Service, rescued the dis
abled Winslow, her wounded command
err and remaining crew. The command
er of the Hudson kept his vessel in the
very hottest fire of the action, though
in danger of going ashore on account
of the shallow water until he finally
got line made fast TO the WinsOw and
towed that vessel ont OF range Of the
enemy's guns, a deed of special gallan-
try.
| recommend that in recognition ~of
the signal act of heroism Of First
Lieutenant II. Frank III. Newcomb,
United States Revenue Cutter Service,
above set forth, the thanks of Congress
be extended to him and to his officers
and men of the Hudson, and that Il
gold medal of honor be given to each
of his officers and a bronze medal Of
honor to each member of his crew who
served with him at Cardenas.
1t will be remembered that Congress
by appropriate action recognized the
several commanders of ships of war for
their services in the battle of Manila
May /, 1898.
The commander of the revenue cutter
Hugh MeCulloch present and in active
with the feet under Commo-
dore Dewey on that occasion (by EXecu-
tive order under the provisions of See
ton 2757. Revised Statutes) is the only
commander of n national ship to whom
or advancement was not and
could not be given, because he held the
highest rank in the Revenue Cutter Ser
vice.
/ now recommend that in recognition
OF the efficient and meritori0us service of
Captain Daniel b. Hodgdson, United
States Revenue Cutter Service, who cam
manded the Hugh McColloch Mt the bat
tie of Manila, that officer being now in
the sixty-third year Of his age, and hav
ing served continuously on active duty
for thirty-seven years, be placed upon
the permanent waiting orders on retired
list of the revenue cutter service on the
full duty pay Of his grade.
The President also sent the special
nomination of Naval Cadet Joseph w.
Powell to be advanced two numbers.
And to be an Ensign in the Navy
for extraordinary heroism, while in
charge of the steam launch which ac-
ccmpanied the collier Merrimac for the
purpose of rescuing her gallant force
when that vessel was under the command
of Naval Constructor Hobson, at which
time she was run into the mouth Of
tie harbor of Santiago de Cuba on the
third instant. and dexteriously sunk in.
the channel"