The age-herald., 1902-05-15
Washington Day by Day

Washington, May 14-(special.)- .)-"Are you in favor of the. bill to retire Captain Hobson from the navyY'
 Certainly, since he wishes it. should be glad for the bill to pass"
 The question was asked me by Re- publican who has been for eighteen years a member of the House, who is one of the most honored and powerful of all the members. and who will become a Senator on the 4th of next March. With his habit ual graciousness and courtesy this leader of the Republicans paused to speak to me at my table in the cafe, and necessar- fly arose as he spoke. Being in hurry, and having finished his dinner, he could not sit with me, and so standing we re- ferred to several topics, the only one to be touched upon at the moment Of this writing being that with which my good and distinguished friend began the con- versation.
 'so you. like our President, favor the Hobson retirement bill? You surprise me-"
 "Why should you be surprised?" I asked
 Well, making allowance for your pos sible personal friendship for Hobson and your pride as a fellow-Alabamian in his achievements, you yet must be aware that his retirement would mean prece- dent that would most assuredly prove to be hurtful to the interests of the Ameri- can navy. You love our country, and you are proud of Hobson's great deed at San tiago. In these two particulars you do not differ from me. But you are twenty years younger than I, and you are not a lawmaker except in your indirect and general quality as newspaper worker, trying as I try to arrive at what is best"
 But" made answer, If Captain Hob- son no longer desires to serve our coun- try as naval officer, and prefers to fol- low his own way. why should the gov ernment compel him to remain on duty that has become dlstasteful to him?''
 You will allow me the privilege of a good friend to say you argue like a boy,' said the Republican leader. Captain Hobson belongs to the fighting force of the nation. For that. the nation has edu- cated and trained him. Two days ago he reached the youthful age of thirty-one. His career of usefulness has scarcely be- gun. What may he not accomplish in the next twenty years! But. leaving this individual hero aside the Congress can not afford to pass the bill for his retire. ment for the express purpose, as he him self declares of entering politics, or for any other purpose The government can not set the precedent of paying a man In order to enable him to follow the bent of his own individual inclinations. If we should pass the Hobson bill I warrant you the next Congress would be asked to pass at least hundred and thirty to a hundred and fifty similar bills of retire. ment. The navy which Is now so short of officers that 1t was necessary to grad uate this years class at Annapolis nearly two months in advance of the regular time, would be dangerously crippled if the Hobson precedent were established
 But you and I need not discuss this matter, since we are not likely to agree, " the Republican leader said; and in con- clusion he declared:
 This much I can assure you of: The Hobson retirement bill cannot become law. l give you all assurance on this point"
 Captain Hobson Is in Washington still, having come hither in the interest of his retirem ent bill. The other night at dinner I met him for the first time since t>e memorable banquet given him by the Hero Club in Birmingham three years ago which he remembers with pleasure. He is apparently in perfect health, though he has in appearance aged somewhat, the hair on his head becoming quite thin. So also he has increased in his dignity. He does not laugh so much as he used to in the recent past. Sturdy-he is even more sturdy than ever. Within my hear ing, Captain Hobson did not speak of his proposed retirement.
 Many persons, including some of the framers of the present constitution of Alabama, have been quoted as declaring outright that the organic law could not