Evening star., 1898-05-09
A MESSAGE TODAY
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(Me.). chairmanA Of the House committee
OF naval Srairs, offered and asked I'M
mediate cohsideration of joint resolu-
tion tenderHg tie thanks of Congress in
line with tNe PHsidents recommendation.
The following Is the resolution:
Joint resolution rendering the thanks of
Congress t6Conffnodore Geo.ge Dewey. U.
5. N, and to the officers and men of the
squadron under his c c1Inmand.
RESOLVED, by the Senate and House Of
Representatives Of the United States of
America, IN Congress assembled, that, in
accordance with the provisions of section
loUo OF the Revised Statutes, the thanks
Oh congress and Of the American people
are hereby rendered to Commodore George
Dewey. United States navy, commander
ln-cnlef OF the Asiatic station, for highly
dlstlnguished conduct in conflict with the
enemy as displayed by him in the de-
stfucuon of the Spanish fleet and batteries
In the harbor of Manila, Philippine Islands,
May 1. 1898.
section 2. That the thanks of Congress
ana OF the American people are hereby
extended. through Commodore Dewey, to
the officers and men under his command
TOT the gallantry and skill exhibited by
them on that occasion.
section 3. Be it further resolved that
the President of the United States be re-
qeested to cause this resolution to be COM
municated to Commodore Dewey, and
tnrouSh nin to the officers and men under
his command"
Mi Boutelis spoke briefly in praise of Ad-
mlral Dewey and his men and then moved
the adoption of the resolution.
upon the suggestion of Mr.. Henry Miss }
the vote was made rising one and 1t was
unanimous.
Arranging for Concurrence.
The resolutions of thanks to Dewey and
creating the Office of rear admiral for
iiin are identical passed by both
houses 1t will be necessary, however, to
pass one set through both houses. Chair
men Hale and Boutelle reached an agree
ment Tor concurrence by whichever house
they reached first. They will be sent to
the President today.
For Dewcy's Promotion.
Mr.. Boutelle then immed lately introduced
the following bill fixing the number of rear
adIn1rals In the navy at seven in or.lcr
provide for the promotion of Commodore
Dewey:
section l. That the number of rear ad-
mirals in the United States navy row al
lowed by law be and is hereby H. crea sed
from SIX to seven, and this act shall DC con-
strued and taken as validating and making
in force and effect any promotion to said
rank OF rear admiral in the United States
navy made heretofore or hereafter and
during the existing war and based on the
thanks of Congress
MIR. Boutelie said the committee on naval
affairs presented the bill for the purpos. of
carrying oft the spirit of the Presidents $
message and thefnanfest desire of the peo-
pie of the ntire country.
In reply 10 a5question from Mr.. Bailey
(rexas). Nri BoTte.le said the action of the
committee was prompted solely by the ex-
ceptional character OF the present case, the
manifest warran sfor creating the additional
admiraishipa to properly reward an officer
the American may and reflected SO much
credit upon the entire land.
Mr.. Bailey said the case was indeed cx-
cepuonal, and lie would not interpose OBJ
lection to a PROPOSITION SO lneritorious, hut
he merely wanted to suggest that the action
about to be taken was exceptional, and was
in no sense Indicative of a purpose to in
crease freely during this war additional
high-saiaried officers in the army and navy,
and he would certainly oppose the inaugura-
tion of such purposes.
The bill was then passed unanimously.