New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-10

THANKED BY CONGRESS- AT THE RE
QUEST OF THE PRESIDENT.

MEDALS VOTED BY THE SENATE
IBf TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUSE.l
Washington. May Both the President and
the two houses Of Congress fastened to-day 10
express the country's gratitude for the brilliant
naval victory won by Commodore Dewey
squadron off Manila and to reward in time
honored fashion the galiantry Of the officers ana
men whose triumph had shed fresh ustre on
American discipline and valor Fulfilling the
promise Of his cable dispatch Of congratuation
TO Commodore Dewey. the President. in felici-
tous message reciting the achievements OF the
Aslatic squadron. suggested to Congress that
the Nations thanks be given TO the fleet COM
mandor ard to the officers and men who had
helped him To crush the Spanish forces in the
Philippines. Both houses accordingly passed ny
unanimous vote n resolution voicinG the graft
tude felt by the American people for the hghy
distinguished conduct in conflict with the enc
my" shown by Commodore Dewey and by AL
his subordnates. and directing the President TO
convey this expression Of thanks 20 the officers
and men OF the feet at Manila.
But the action Of the two houses did not stop
with the single compliment Of a vote OF thanks
-exceptional and highly priced as that distinc'
tion is Both branches passed without opposi-
ton this afternoon bill Increasing the NUMBER
Of rear-admirals in the Navy from six to seven
thus creating a vacancy IN that grade. TO which
the President had practically given notice that
he will A; once advance the commander II the
Asiatic squadron. BY the Presidents order OF
saiurday. Commodore Dewey hecame en- acting
reaT-admiral. on the approval OF the bill passed
to-day he viii be appointed permanently TO that
rank-a promotion that will carry him In less
than year to tho highest post in the American
Navy.
The Senate. in addition 10 tho two foregoing
resolutions, decided 10 vote sword TO Commo-
dore Dewey. and commemorative medals OF
honor to all the officers and men under him. and
the House Of Representatives Will doubtless give
its assent TO this further recognition OF the dis
tInguished services performed by the American
feet in the remarkable encounter off Manila
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
President McXirley's message reads rs fol-
lcws:
r, th' Congress Of the United states.
ON the 24th q. Aprii directed the secretary
OF tn. navy 80 telcsrapl orders to Commodore
George Deaey. of the United states Navy. com
mandlrg the Asistic squadron then lying In the
port II Hong Kong. to proceed forthwith TO the
Phippine Islands Their to begin op"'a'ions
Promptly obeying HIT rider. The United States
squadron. consisurg - ihe flagship olympia,
the baltimore. the Raleigh. thu Boston. the con-
McCulloch as an auxiliary disps tch-boat en-
tered H." horhor u Manila ct daybreak On the
1st Of May ana Immediately engaged the entire
Spanish ncet - eleven ships. which were under
the protection - thc fire Of the land forts. After
a stubborn tight. IN which the enemy suffered
pleteiy !sablcd. and the water battery al Csvite
silenced OF our brave officers and men not one
was lost. and only eight injured. and those
slightly. All Of our ships escaped am serious
damage
- The tn OF MAY Commodore Dewey had
taken possession OF the naval station at Cavit".
Destroying the foruhcatons there and at The on
trance "f tho hat and paroiIuC thor Carrisons
Tn, waters 81 the bay are under his complies
control. He has established hospitals within the
American lines where 80 Of the spanish sick
ana wolTd"d arr assisted and protected.
Tn" ''Sph'tuds ~ this victory can hardly bs
Inedsngs. by the ordinary standards OF naval
warfare OutwclGhing any material advantage
this unsurpassed achievement the great heart
Ct our Nation thrO -. not with Boosting or with
greed or conquest but with deep gratitude that
this triumph has coine In a lust cause and that
by the grace 80 God an effective step has thus
sfed l.r peace. To those who's" skin cour-
ac" and devotion hlV" Won the fight. 10 tho
gallant conn ander ard the brave officers and
men who aided him. our country
calculahe debt
Feeling our people feel and areakins In
their name. at once sent message 10 Com
moGore Dewey. thanking hln and his officers
and men for their splendid achievement. and
Overwhelming victory. and informing him that
! had appJMtct him an Acting Rear Admiral
r0w recommend iha' following our National
prccedcnis and expfefs'rc the fcrveni gratitude
81 every PATRIOTS heart. The thanks of Congress
b" given Acting Reo~-Ad-n!ral George Dewey.
of the niiel States Navy. for highly distin-
guisled ccrcuct ~ conflict with the enemy and
to he officers ana men under his command FOR
fhrir gallantr' e. the destruction of the enemy's
Hcct and the capture ~ the eneiny's fortinca-
lions In the Bay Of Manila
WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion. May q 1905
TIE RESOLUTIONS OF CONGRESS-
Following IS the joint resolution rendering
the thanks ~ Cong -ess TO Dewey.
Joint resolution rendering the thanks OF Con-
rrcss to Commodore Gle orge Dewey. l.. S. y.
ami TO the oficers and mcr OF the squadron
under his command.
Resolved. By the Senate and Nouae % Repre-
soniativos ~ tho t-riicd states If America In
Congress assembled. That in pursuance 81 the
recommendation Of The President made I'm ac-
corlaurn with the provisions 81 section Los
Of the Ecyisol Statutes. the thanks 81 Congress
and OF the American poole are hereby rendered
10 Commodore George Dewey. I. 5. ~. com
mander-in-chief Of the Aslatc Station. for
hirhly distinguished co 1duct in conflict with
The enemy az displayed by him IN the destruc-
ton Of tho Spanish feet and batteries In the
harbor Of Manila. Philippine Islards. May |.
1893
Sec 2 That the thanks Of Congress and
the Ano rican people hereby extended
through Commodore Dewey 10 the ono 'rs and
men under his command foT tho gniHntry and
ski exhibited by them thai occasion.
Sec. -. Ic il further r"sr, Thai the Prcsi-
don't Of the I-ritod states be requested TO cause
this resolution 10 be communicated to Com
moiore Dewey and through him 10 the officers
and men under his command
Following In tie I'll passed b. Congress rails
ing the number oi rear aJmirals from six TO
seven, 10 provide for Commodore Dewey's pro-
motion:
That the number Of rear-admtrals IN the
United Siates Navy now allowed by Law be and
is hereby increased from six to seven ari this
act shall be construed and taken az validating
and making in force and effect any promotion
10 sad rank Of rear-adr1ral In the United
- .c.. .f1.a ha..ca ftlr nral