The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1901-02-09
SECRETARY LONG RE6RETFuL.
10 Would Have All Heroes Rewarded as
They DeserSs.

They DeserSc.
Washington, Feb. 5.-Secretary Long
has addressed the following letter to
Senator Morgan;
Dear Senator: L have your letter
with regard to Lieutenant Hobson,
Captain Clark and others, as to the
failure of the government to recognize
their services. ! need not say to YOU
that no one feels this more keenly than
myself, or has done more to endeavo.
to secure justice for the men who con
Quoted and contaminated the Santiago
naval campaign. VIII you let me say
that the delay is not in the executive
branch of the government so much as
with congress. l do not say this to in
any way shift the responsibility, but in
the hope hat the corporation OF con-
gress may yet be secured in his re-
spect. With the interest Which you and
other members of the legislative branch
feel In the case, | do not despair.
1T is more tnan two years now since
the president cent in nominations for
promotion and these nominations have
never been acted upon by the senate.
AT each session OF congress l have pre-
pared and submitted hiiss asking tor
rewards for these officers; no action
has been taken upon them. In each of
my annual reports l have urged the
matter with all the force possible, but
1t attracts no attention. The president
has asked for the creation OF the grade
of vice admiral, which would, perhaps,
lead to a solution of the matter.
II feel keenly the lack OF any recog-
milton of Hobson, whose feat is famous
the world over. l have repeatedly
talked about him with the president,
who. as you know, feels the most cor
dial interest in behalf of all these men.
He cannot separate Hobson's case from
the rest, nor can l advise him to do so.
1t would be an unjust discrimination
against Captain Clark, to whom you
refer, and who Is two numbers worse
off now than If there had. been no war;
1t would be an injustice TO the COM
mander-in-chief, VINO planned and con
summated the whole campaign, and
who had a greater responsibility upon
him for a longer time than any officer
on the Atlantic; it would discriminate
against the enlisted men, who have yet
had neither thanks 0 medal, nor any
recognition, n are Inundated on the
deck of every warship on which their
shipmates who served in the Asiatic
squadron display their medals, and the
Santiago men have none.
Il feel almost like invoking the helm
Of yourself and every other senator and
representative to What seems the sim
plest justice.
Not content with what has hitherto
been done, 1t was only a few days ago
that l wrote a letter to Senator Hale.
chairman of he naval committee of
the senate, a copy of which Is enclosed,
asking him II he would not, as a last
resort, have the navy committee, or a
subcommittee of it, take up the mat
ter and consider the report upon the
deserts Of these officers.
Saturday / wrote another long letter
to the president, a copy of which / zen
close, rectting recommendations which
l made to him in my annual report OF
1888, that he make the same
dation to congress in the case OF tha
Santiago squadron which wa made In
the case of the As.atic squadron, viz;
That. the thanks OF congress be ten
dered to the commander-in-ci,ief. and
be extended through him to the officers
and e
II think you will cordially acknowI
edge that the president, by his speedy
nominations for promotion, has been
prompt. and that this department has
left no stone unturned to do Justice IN
this matter. and hat it is now for con
gress, of which you are SO distinguished
a member, to act. Trusting that We
may all cooperate, and at last secure
to these officers and men an expression
OF the country's appreciation of Their
services, l am, Very truly yours,
John ID. Long,,