The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-27
HoBsoN ON RECORD.


Just before sailing from San Francisco
Lieut. Hobson put himself on record In
regard TO the kissing features Of his trip
from the East. He made a written state
ment which ne gave TO the Mayor OF that
city. In the statement he said that the
stories that he had been party to promis-
cuous kissing at various places were not
true. It is probable that there was some
kissing to which the lieutenant was a par
", but the extravagant stories which APP
peared in the newspapers We're in all
probability, without much foundation.
There were, no doubt, some lively demon
STATIONS on the part of women at some
of the places at which ne stopped, and
newspaper men made them the subject of
the sensational articles which appeared in
the public prints, and which caused the
navy department and Lieut.. Hobson's
friends so much concern. 1t is said that
at San Francisco. when he was about to
go on board of his ship, bound for Manila,
last Saturday, many women tried to kiss
him, but he successfully resisted their
efforts No doubt it was hard to resist,
because the girls of San Francisco have
the reputation of being very pretty. but
he was well aware that he would imperil
his well earned fame if event into the
kissing business too extensively. Now
that he is away from the country, with a
big field of usefulness before him, the lit
tie kissing bees in this country will soon
be forgotten by all except the women who
were kissed, and he will add to his repu-
tation by his achievements in the Philip
pines. At least il is to be hoped that he
will not let his kissing experiences on his
journey to the Pacific spoil his career.
Il is well probably that the navy de-
partment sent him to Manila. The hero
worship to which he was subjected in
this country whenever he appeared in pub
lie might have turned his head. so that
he would have ceased to be the sensible
and ambitious man that he is.
1t is related that there is at present an
officer of the navy who was ruined by fem
mine gushers. He performed most he
roic feat and won the plaudts of the
nation. He lost his head and came to
the conclusion that he had won enough
fame to justify him in taking his ease
for the rest of his life. He ceased to be
of use in the naval service and it was
soon forgotten that he ever did anything
remarkable. He is therefore pitiable fig
ure. Another naval officer did a notable
thing and Congress gave him a vote of
thanks. The whole country applauded his
ton and he quickly drank himself into a
drunkards grave.
All heroes are not iattered out of their
senses by hero worshipers. The Duke of
Wellington was one who was not
carried off his feet by them. OF him Col
Gordon McCabe related the following
story:
"On one occasion the Duke, then get
ting far advanced in years and rather
feeble, was waiting to cross a street
crowded with heavy vehicles. A stalwart
young man approached with lifted hat
rendered his services as escort and con-
Quoted the gallant old warrior in safety
to the other side. Then, bowling extreme
ly low, he said
Your grace this is the proudest mo
ment of my life. In years to come
snail tell my children, and they shall tell
their children's children that 1 had the
honor to serve the hero of Waterloo and
the conqueror of Napoleon
with a glance that showed intense dis
gust, the venerable hero-he was the gem
uine article-replied: Young man, don't
make a d-n fool of yourself"
Lieut.. Hobson will not find himself
such an attraction in the Philippines. Be
fore he comes back to this country the de-
sire to APPLAUD him whenever he appears
in public viii have passed away TO a great
extent, and he will be older and Jess likely
to lose his head. If he is the sensible man
it is believed he is the applause he has
received viii do him no permanent harm