The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-06-04
RETIREMENT OF H0BS0N
THE BILL MAY BE PASSED AT THIS
SESSION.
Onnosition 10 the Measure Is Based on
Reports OF the Young Mans
Political Aspirations.


Washington. June 3-The bill providing
for the retirement OF Captain Hiohmond
Pearson Holscn has been favcrably re-
p-tted BIZ tho senate committee OH naval
aGal5 aud there is a possibility that 1t
win be PASSED during the present session
NJ notion has yet been taken by the house
committee, and it is In the lower body that
the most strenuous opposition to the meas
ure exists.
The rcrcrt Of the senate naval affairs
committee included letter from Prcsitelt
Roosevelt approving Hobson's application
for retirement together with a communica'
lion dated at Cavite. Z. l., June 4, 1900,
and slgred by three surgeons of the navy.
In, this communication ii Is stated that
uotson was then unit for duty on account
Of retln!tis. which had its origin in the
nard work the naval constructor had been
doing In the tropics. The probable fu-
tune duration OF the trouble was indefinite,
the board of surgeons stated, and they
recommended that he be sent to the hos
pitaI at Yokohama for treatment
1t was ia January OF the present year
that Hobson appeared before Il retiring
hoard. as the result Of the Investigations
of which his application for retirement
was denied This board stated that az
that time his only trouble was a slight
retinal irritation, which need cause no IN
convenience II given reasonable care, aud
therefore he was Mt for duty. Hobson $
only hope of being retired lay In the pass
age by congress of a special act providing
for his retirement.
In The letter sent to congress under date
Of February u, l0u2, the president re
viewed these facts and closed with the fol
I loving words: IN consideration especially
OF the gallant service rendered by Mr.
Hobson in the sinking OF the Merrmd'
in the harbor of Santiago during the re
/ cent war with Spain, l recommend this
Z enactment OF a suitable measure for his re
/ LEI"
In a letter sent 10 the secretary of the
| navy Hobson thus states his case
/ dj Referring to my application OF Jan
/ nary II to be ordered before the retiring
/ board on account OF my eyes, and TO th'
I depaftments letter Of January p INFORM
! ins me OF the report OF that board, 10 th'
( efTecg that / was nj for duty, yet the dut.
! reouired in the construction corps In con
l nertion with plans and blue prints and u
! connection with Inspection and supervisor
! renrires lust the kind OF use OF the eye
tbsf is painful and Injurious and woul'
/ fond 10 fhwart their recovery. Under tines
/ sircumstancCs ! believe ! should not con
/ ,tnun snch work and since n appears tina
rei,Sf can not come through the retiring
| hoard. | respectfully request the trans
| mission 70 congress or me apphcaiion
4 hrrol,v make for special legislative author
~ Tor such relief Because OF the unnsuH
nStnTe Of this request, ! beg 20 add tn
statement below.
~ Ny service ih the navy mas covere
t-n+ seventeeu years, and never counte
Ssv on the sick list or even excuse
lie, until my eyes were condemned by
medical board assembled n cayite IN Ja I
me naval hospital az Yokohama an
,Ssnee 10 the United stetes;, and upon th
decentralization Of specialist granted u
nonths sick leave on Account OF my eye