Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-24

oe AT Newport News ready TO go on board
the ships, and then will come the second
trip. taking three days. with two days
allowed for Garretsons troops to be un-
loaded In Cuba.
MII4EsIAN CONFLICTS.
Reports were current at the War De-
partment again to-day that General
Miles. commanding the army, would
leave the city within the next two days
IL was asserted also that he had asked to
get into the actual fighting by going TO
Cuba and there assuming command OF
the troops. This was contradictory to
the reports circulated few days ago
that General Miles would take command
OF the Porto Rico expedition. when
General Miles's attention was drawn 70
the several conflicting reports tonight
he good-naturedly declined 20 discuss
them.
THE YANKEE ACCIDENT.
The details of the accident on the YAM
kee on Decoration-Day have just reach
ei the Navy Department. While the ship
was at sea a trial was made OF the guns.
One, a 6-pounder, using English smoke
less powder. hung fire after the trigger
was pulled. The gunner. without wait
ing, threw open the breech Just as the
charge exploded. The rear blast killed
Corporal j. J. Murray and severely, but
not seriously. wounded Private Jesse
Fuller, both of the United States Marine
Corps. The powder is believed to be de-
fective, as other halg-6res have been
had with It, and If used at all it must be
with great caution. The naval militia
men who man the Yankee were not hurt.
HOBsON'S REWARD.
Representative Pearson, uncle of Naval
Cons tructor Hobson, had another inter-
view to-day with Secretary Long, re-
specting the reward Of that hero. The
Secretary is puzzled by the conflicting in
terests in this case. He intends to re-
ward Hobson in connection with the
merits Of his feat, but would like to do
this without injustice to other meritorious
officers.
A study OF the naval register shows
that if Hobson is advanced to the grade
Of Heutenant-commander he will have
been given a greater reward than was
ever known in our naval history. Cush-
ing got ffty-six numbers, and gained
one year and nine months time in his
record yet Hobson, 1t is calculated VIII
be given, If made a naval commander,
3H numbers, and will gain twenty years
I'm time He win become senior officer
Of the navy in the course Of about fifteen
years. and owing to his youth, will retain
that place no less than twenty years,
something absolutely without precedent
I'm the American navy These facts are
being adduced by naval officers who are
desirous Of finding some other means OF
rewarding our naval heroes, which. while
thoroughly satisfactory to them and their
friends. will work no injustice TO others
PRESENT RULE WORKS BADLY.
Asan instance Of how the present prac-
tice works. the officers point to the fact
that for his splendid achievement at Ma
nila Dewey gained only ten numbers
while. astounding as it may seem, in
stead OF a reward for his excellent man
aeement and seamanship in bringing the
GREAT battleship Oregon successfully
through one of the most remarkable
cruises on record, Captain Clarke actually
lost three numbers, through the promo
tion over his head of officers engaged in
the battle of Manila bay.
captain Sigsbee is cited. also' as case
in point. having suffered the loss Of sew
eral numbers, representing a year or two
of naval service, through the Manila re-
NAnrds.