The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-09

suffering from retinitis, and It sems to have risen from bending over and look ing at maps. charts, drawings, etc, which he used in his work in the construction corps. The two boards that reported ad versely on his retirement unanimously reported that rest would permanently cure him. Capt. Hobson himself testified that he thought he could be cured within a year if he were to do nothing in that time We did not, therefore, think that a young man of such splendid physique and so young in years, and with such op- portunities for service and for usefulness in the future, should be discharged.
 We were especially opposed to his retirement because of the fact that 1t had been reported that he desired to be re- tired in order to enter politics. personal ly asked him the qeustion as to whether or not he desired to enter politics, and he said very frankly that he did and that that was his ultimate ambition in case of retirement from the navy. Alter making this examination my subcommittee voted unanimously against the proposition to re- tire him, and the general committee after wards accepted our. views and voted to indefinitely postpone action.
 " I may also say in this connection that you never at any time. directly or in- directly, either by spoken or written word, endeavored to influence me in my action in this matter or conversed with me about it. It was not until after that action had been taken. in fact, that I ascertained that he lived in your congressional dis trict.
 Sometime after that I was invited to speak before an audience of coored peo- pie in the city of Washington in connec- tion with Admiral Schley, Captain Hob- son, Judge Crumpacker. Admiral Schley did not appear. but the rest of us were there. Capt Hobson delivered an address that evening upon which I eompllmented him. and remembering what he had said before, told him that I thought that he could enter politics and could do so suc- eessfully He again stated that he had ambition to do so and would if retired from the navy, and said to me at that time that he thought he had a good op- portunity to be elected to the state senate
 I write these things to you, not be- cause have any interest in the contro- versy in your district but in the inter- est of the truth. Very respectfully yours,
 JAMES k. WATSON Trouble Not Permanent.
 House of Representatives, Washington, D. C., January 7 BOA Hon. James H. Bankhead, House of Representatives.
 My Dear Sir-I have your letter of recent date in regard to the retirement of Capt. R. F. Hobson of the United States navy. was member of the naval com mittee of the house when this question came before the committee. Previous to appealing to congress two naval boards had examined Capt. Hobson for retire. ment, and reported against retiring him, for the reason that his trouble was not permanent and that rest would cure him When before the subcommittee I under stood that Captain Hobson acquisced in the opinion that a years leave would likely permanently cure him. Under all the facts the United States government, having educated and trained thIs vigorous young man for the navy, and when a rest would relieve his trouble. the com mittee felt that the government was en- titled to his services, and concurred in the action of the two boards and declined to retire him. At no time have you in- huenced or attempted in any way to ln- fiuence my action in this matter. Yours truly
 "F. C. TATE,
 Finding of Medical Board.
 Finding of medical board on Captain Hobson's retirement:
 January 23, 1902
 "'The board then proceeded to delib- crate upon the evidence before it, herein stated and hereto appended and marked as aforesaid, and decided thereon that Naval Constructor Richmond P. Hobson U. s. navy, Is fit for active duty.
 "'J. A. HOWELL,
 " Rear Admiral U. s. N, Pres.
 "'James H. Sands, captain U. S. N., members Harry Knox, captain U. 8. N, member John Cevse, medical director, U. s. N, member; William s. Dixon, medical director U. S. N, member
 If what Captain Hobson states were true my influence here would appear to be greater than that of the President and the secretary of the navy both of whome recommended Captain Hobson's retire. ment. and all of his friends in congress to whom he intrusted his bill, when was wholly indifferent and made no effort to control the action of the committee What might happen when I actively and ag- gressively use that influence in behalf of the people of Alabama and the Sixth district in particular. Certainly it would seem that Bankhead would be a good man to keep in congress
 Captain Hobson also charges that have secured extraordinary promotion in the army for my son." Why a mem Der of my family who never harmed or criticised Captain Hobson in his life should be dragged into this controversy l am at loss to understand The cap tain is however, as much mistaken in this charge as in the other. Henry M Bankhead, my son, at the breaking out of the Spanish-American war, very much against my wishes and advice raised a volunteer company in Alabama, at his own expense. and joined the Fifth im- | munes at Columbus. Miss, and was desig mated by Colonel Sargent as e captain and was afterwards appointed by Presi- dent Mckinley. The regiment was order ed to Cuba and after one years service there returned to the states and mustered out, Henry Bankhead with the others Upon the recommendation of General Wood, who commanded the troops at Sam tiago, Henry was appointed second lieutenant in the regular army and or dered to join the Twentieth regiment, then in the Philippines By seniority of rank and commission he has been regularly promoted to first lieutenant as all other second lieutenants have been promoted. and this rank he now holds and is doing service with his regiment in the Phillip | pines. The promotion from second lieu- tenant to first lieutenant was made after an examination for proomtion under the law and was made in the regular and ordinary way. The following letter from the adiutant general of the army correct ly states the facts:
 Another Letter.
 Ma n