The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-01-03
HOBSON DEFENDED.
HIS Brother Naval Officers Take a
Chnrifnb Ir v;,,y ar 1T, ,,:.


Charitable View OF his Antics.
New York Press: Naval officers who
have been proud OF Lieutenant Hob
sons record and daring. regret the Sill
~ exhibition which he has made of
himself In the west, but they are dis
posed TO take a charitable view OF the
young officers exploits. It has become
known that Hobsons orders to the
philippines were more for his health
IMAM Tor the requirements OF the ser
vice. The strains to which Hobson
was subjected In the investment OF San
tiaGo. the sinking OF the Merrimac,
ms capture, Imprisonment. release and
subsequent endenvors to raise the
sunken vessels OF Cervera's fleet have
peen too rapid and cumulative for one
mind TO stand mistaken.
Hobson has been on the Jump, under
orders and otherwise. for nine months,
and instead OF resting ut points where
ms journeys would permit brief inter-
val OF labor. he has OF late startled his
associates and admirers by embracing
hazardous opportunities for speech
making and other exciting demonstra-
lions that are far from his nature and
disposition. This condition OF Hobson
has made his superiors fear n collaDse
or breakdown. such US has fallen TO the
lot OF heroes in other wars and cam
paigns. and 1t was decided not long
since TO give to Hobson the benefit Of
long ocean voyage for 4 complete
mental rest.
When Hobson was ordered to Manila
10 report to Admiral Dewey It was
with the purpose OF taking him away
from nj activity, as really there is no
need for Hobson In the Philippines.
Such vessels Of Admiral Montejo's fleet
as are ut for recovery. have been float
ca ny inc engineers and constructors
on the spot. and Admiral Dewey has
neen equal to every mechanical ncces-
sity.
The receptions and laudatlons given
Tor Hobson on his way to the Pacific
coast were not unforeseen, but It never
was supposed that the usually contain
ed and dlSRlded youth would SO far for
get himself and his profession Us to be-
come hysterical in encouraging the ad-
FaEces OF thouGhtless girls. carried
away by the silly notion of assocIntlnc-
themselves In the public eye with war
nero. 1t Is u cause for congratulnticn
among the more thoughtful officers
that HohSon has been among the FIRST
TO realize his mistake. The shock OF Sc
we're newspaper criticism. 1t Is believed,
WI! do him good. but It Is felt that he
has been punished too much for his ner-
rous indiscretlons.
In navy circles. IL Is charitab!y suc-
Gested that Hobson should have some
credit for assuming full and manly re-
sponsibility for what has happened, In
stead of asserting that the women did
tempt him. Hobson Is said to be all
right, but he has been keyed TO such n
high pitch by his experience and the UNI
usual honors showered upon him that
It is small wonder he lost his balance
for awhile and surrendered TO his temp
tations. 1t Is hoped and expected he
viii have time to calm down In the re-
Election which Il sea trip OF several
weeks duration will give.
Several Junior naval officers who
have received the thanks Of Congress
and the adulatlon OF the public for he
| roic deeds have been ruined physically
or mentally. and the friends of Hobson
hope his usual good sense will assert
itself In time TO save him from further
criticism. His trials have been cXtra
ordinary, and IL suspension OF Judgment
Is asked for Hobson b. men who know
| his worth.