The evening times., 1898-06-15
REWARD FOR MERIT.
Promotion. Medals and Money for
HObaOn's Men.

HObsOn's Men.
Secretary Long has formally and sub
stantialiy recognized the galllantry of
the men who. under command of As
sistant Naval Constructor Hobson. sank
the collier Merrimac in the mouth of the
harbor of Santiago de Cuba.
No action has yet been taken with ref
erence 20 the promotion of Mr.. Hobson
himself, for the reason that the depart
ment has not yet had an opportunity of
communicating with him to learn what
he desires. Every effort is being made by
the department to procure his exchange
and that of the men with him in Santi-
ago prison. but nothing definite as a re-
suit of the negotiations has yCe occurred.
As for the men, two of them are pro-
NOTED to warrant rank; two are made
chief machinists, and three are appoint
ed chief boatswain's mates. The men
promoted to warrant rank are ID. Monta-
que, chief master at arms, who Is appoint
ed a boatswain. and George Charette,
grnner's mate. third class. who Is made
a gunner. G. f. Phillips. machinist, first
class. was named chief machinist.
and TO F. Kelly. water tender. was given
the same rank. CoXswain r. Clausen,
Coxswain o. Deignan and Coxswain J.
Z. Murphy We're each appointed chief
boatswains mate.
These promotions were made upon the
recommendations of Capt. A. S. Crownin-
shield, chief of the Bureau of Naviga
ton. and upon the recommendation of
Rear Admiral Sampson, who brought
the gallantry of the men to the atten-
ton of the department, with the recon-
mendation that they be given favorable
consideration.
Capt Crowinshieid would have liked to
have made Machinist Philips and Water
Tender Kelly warrant officers. An eX
animation of the provision contained in
the Naval appropriation law. authorizing
the enlistment of 100 warrant machinists.
showed that such appointments must be
made from civil life, so that the highest
positions that could be given these men
were those of chief machinists.
The Naval personnel bill contains au-
thority for creating a corps of warrant
machinists. and it is proposed by the de-
partment, upon the passage of the meas
ure, to promote Philips and Kelly to the
grade of warrant machinists.
In the case of the three coxswains an
examination of their records showed that
they had been in the service less than a
year, and it was therefore not deemed
desirable to advance them to warrant
rank without further training. In pro-
noting these men to be chief boatswain's
mates, 1t is said by department officers
that they are assured life positions dur
ing behavior, with an excellent prospect
of getting early promotion to warrant
rank.
AS chief master at arms Montague
drew pay at the rate of $65 per month.
As boatswain. to which he has been pro-
NOTED. he will receive 81 800 per year, this
pay including the longevity pay, which
his four years service in the Navy will
insure. Charette drew $50 per month as
gunner's mate. third class, and he will
also receive 300 per year. In addition
each of these officers will be entitled to
room forward of the steerage, and will
be retired the same as commissioned Of
ficerS.
Philips. a machinist, will be promoted
from $50 to SO per month, and Kelly, the
water tender. from $40 to SO per month.
Clausen, Dignan. and Murphy, the cox
swains. instead of receiving $50 per month
will in the future receive $50 per month.
Besides these rewards, it is proposed to
give each man 800 and a medal of honor,
to be prepared under the direction of the
department,