The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-04-08
nairal Dewey gives h following eatt-
mate OF Mr.. Doebsn's service To the
'

ihcrhins. II gives me pleasure IL re-
state what | said At hat time: that
| Was appointed an acting midship-
man IN the navy in September 1919.
% TIE honorable }. Z. Dobbin. Sec
retary Of the Navy. a resident of
North Carolina. During hiS admin
,s.iati"n OF he Navy Department, We
pullt eighteen OF the finest shfps Of
their class that there were in IA.
world; six frigates OF the Wabash
class. six sloops of the Hartford class,
and Six third-ciass slocps oi the lro-
auois class.
In my opinion Mr.. Dobbin was one
of the ablest secretaries or the navy
the country has ever had.
Faithfully yours.
GEORGE DEWEY.
The Secretary Of the Navy.
Navy Department,
Washington, u. C..
Air. Dobhin accomplished his great
work in spite of poor health. aud al
though he realized fully that his Ia
pors were rapidly pulling him 10 the
grave. Had he consulted his own
happiness and welfare he would have
ret tired from the Cabinet before the
expiration Of his term. but there was
work for him to do, and with the
herolsm Of a martyr he continued at
his post until the end. On March 6,
1890 AZ AoA' ooWA nv ltOlloiS ~
we'll as the cares of office and pre-
I pared TO return to his home near
Fayetteville. The Washington Union
gave an excellent summary OF his
l qualities as a statesman. Speaking OF
the amenity Of his manner and the
: sincerity and amiability Of his char
I acter," it continued:
Adding to these qualities a hnely
tempered but acute. penetrating intel
lcct. and a spirited, graceful. and i'm
preSSlve ~elOcutiOn, he could not fail
to assume speedily the highest rank
9 at the bar and in public life. j.
= Mr.. DObbln was a gentleman, as we'll
as in the sense Of courtesy OF de-
pertinent as in the higher sense OF
v considerable care OF the rights and feel
ings of others, and In this respect we'll
Le adapted to be h administrative head
OF a body Of high-bred and sensitive
officers. But in addition to this. he
was endowed with singular clear
headedness, as It is Familiarity called
Of that Is. capacity Of distinct and cleas
&c perception Of things and Of their
Id mutual relations, including persona
ne character. In this quality Of mind lie.
As the secret Of prompt decision anc
he skillful adaptation Of mea to ends
er in a word. practical craftsmanship
This quality MIR. Dobbin possessed in
high degree. It rendered him a SAT-
i'd counsellor n an able administrator
and enabled him, while attentive Z
IN. matters Of routine, to go beyond tina
ng and to devise and execute most i'm
Ell poFtant measures for the augmenta
ce ton Of the material force and Of TIA
nd personal efficiency OF the navy"
b. With the close Of his term Of Of
or flee. MFR. Dobbin's career was at Al
p end. Upon his return home in March
I'D the people all along the route of hi
q travel In North Carolina prepared t
a do him honor. At Weldon Matt. "
Ransom was selected to welcome hir
To- upon his entrance into his native State
10 But MI. DObbin was too i'll to leav
us his car, and the ceremonies wer
.ue omitted. At Wilmington similar preY
rs arationS were made but for a SiInila
reason could not be carried out. A
~ flags on vessels in the port were dis
IL, played in honor Of the di~stinguishe
Secretary OF the Navy. A great pub
lie reception had been arranged
~ Fayetteville, but it, too, had to b
- omitted. The committee appointed
welcome him to his home addrcsse
"a to him a beautiful letter IN behalf
the citizens Of the town, TO whic
Mr.. Dobbin responded appreciative
and e~loQuently.
He and his friends all realized tn;
his home coming was 10 be but
preparation for heath. August 4. 1855
it came to him at s o'clock In II
morning, at his home near faFett
airy sble, Iio idat VIZ y
aa death was everywhere received vii
genuine sorrow. In North caroliI
it was a personal grief to hundre'
Vi who knew and loved him, and To tho
'ule1 s"hos "no "o ~ aS.Un 80
vas h.iieu Ho 80 80 -.
ra his death was deplored as a nation
-ae loss, and eulogies filled the cOlun,
he Of the press. The New York T7m'
a. III announcing his death. said:
James g. Dobbin is no more. T
per fnourhlui in'eiiisence WI DC -
Otie Win uhieisHeu so.'o~ "u"'c'e1 :
ted araeIlcan nag noa.a' - n- a.e-
Ugh Tue iiuS1iicuS 80
the tue va
M the national marine"