The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-06-28
recommends That He Be Made
a Line Officer and Promoted
at Discretion.
Other Members of the Crew Have
Already Been Rewarded for
Their Services.
Rewards Also Recommended for
the Captains of the Hudson
and McCullOch.

WASHINGTON. June 2S.-The presi.
dent has sent the following messages
to congress:
10 the Congress of the United States:
On the morning of the Sd of June,
1898, Assistant Naval Constructor
Richmond p Hobsdn, U. S. n, with
volunteer crew of seven men, in charge
Of the partially dismantled collier Mer.
rimac, entered the fortified harbor of
Santiago. Cuba, for the purpose of
sinking the collier in the narrowest
portion of the channel, and thus oppos.
ing serious obstacle to the egress Of
the Spanish feet which had recently
entered that harbor. This enterprise,
demanding GOODNESS, Judgment and
bravery amounting to heroism, was
carried into successful execution in the
face Of persistent fire from the hos.
tile feet, as well as from the fortifica.
tions on shore. Rear Admiral Samp
son, commander.in.chief of our naval
force In Cuban waters, in an official
report, dated "off Santiago de Cuba.
June 3, 1885," and addressed to the
secretary Of the navy, referring to Mr..
Hobson's gallant exploit, says:
The president here quotes Admiral
Simpsons report to Secretary Long,
heretofore published, and continues:
Others of His Crew Rewarded.
The members of the crew who were
with Mr.. Hobson on this memorable
occasion have already been rewarded
for their services. by advancement
which under the provisions Of the law
and regulations, the secretary Of the
navy was authorized to make. and the
nomination to the senate of Naval
Cadet Powell, who in steam launch
followed the Merrimac on her perilous
trip for the purpose Of rescuing her
crew after the sinking Of that vessel,
to be advanced in rank to the grade Of
!. ensign, has been prepared and will be
Q submitted.
Cushing, with whose gallant act in
blowing up the ram Albemarle, during
g the Civil War, Admiral Sampson com
5 pares Mr. Hobson's sinking of the Mer
g rimac, received the thanks Of congress
5 upon recommendation Of the president
by name, and was in consequence by
\ the provisions of section 100 of the
i Revised Statutes advanced one grade
r such advancement embracing 56 mum.
u bers. The section cited, applies, how
ever. to line officers only, and Mr.
Hobson being a member of the staff o
the navy could not under its provision
be so advanced.
: To BE Transferred to the Line.
IS In considering the question Of suita
bly rewarding Assistant Naval Con
"a structor Hobson for his valiant conduc
4 on the occasion referred to, / hav
: deemed it proper to address this mes
~ sage to you with the recommendation
- that he receive the thanks Of congress
70 and further, that he be transferred t
the line Of the navy and promoted t
such position therein as the president
n by and with the advice and consent 0
y the senate, may determine. Mr.. Hot
e sons transfer from the constructio
"a corps to the line is fully warranted h
y having received the necessary technica
ID training as o graduate OF the nava
a. academy, where he stood number on
y in his class. and such action is recon
le mended partly in Difference to what
:, understood to be his own desire, q
a. though, he being now prisoner in til
no hands of the enemy. no direct comm,
"a nication on the subject has been r
- ceiyed from him, aud partly for tt
: reason that the abilities displayed b
him at Santiago are Of such charact'
as to indicate especial fitness for Il
duties of the line.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, June ~. 1898.
Another message recommended me-
ais of honor for the captain and ere
Of the revenue cutter Hudson. Fran
H. Newcomb captain. who rescued Il
Winslow from certain destruction u
der heavy fire from Spanish gunboa
It also recommends the retirement
Captain Hodgsdon of the Hugh NJ
Culloch OH full duty pay. he being Il
enly one of the Manila men impossib
to promote, having reached the top
the list in the revenue cutter servl
and 63 years Of age
THE FLEET WILL GO ON.