American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-12-09
@Wrertcau @epubltcau
AND BALTIMORE CLIPPER.
TUESDAY MORNING, DEC. 9, 1916.

rsoMorIoNs IN THE NAVY. As the Navy
xsc~t, in all future wars between the United
Slater and other powers, be relied upon mainly
e. sustan the honor of our country, it is of the
uslaost Importance that it should be governed
Sy apci laws aud regulations as will best secure
efficient service and reward to merit. In the
report Of the Secretary Of the Navy it is urged,
that the present system of promoting by SENIOR
sty should be abandoned, and that the mode OF
advancing by merit be adopted. The SecFe-
aar7 has eandidy stated the objections to the
proposed change in the following language;
-'5election, it is objected, will degenerate in
eo iayoritism. In promotions there should GER
gz.nly be no favor. The records OF the depart
raanI. or the concurrent opinion OF ofhcers
will disclose professional merit, Ii these could
be d Sregarded, the Senate may lnterpose. II
tipe Senate Yields, the voice of public opinion,
Gsn press, the vigilance Of party, the restorative
influence of the popular will, would, IN the end,
wate impariahty Il necessty-would certainly
pso.cct merit from neglect lndscrmnate
promoton is injustice to the country, and, II
oasgoyered in, Will prove fatal to the navy"
Could strict lmpartiality be observed in the
selections, and promotions be made in strict ac-
eordauco with meritorous services, there can
bo no doubt that the change recommended by
aho Secretary would be found advantageous TO
sae country But if partlzan feeling and ia
soyil.sm were permitted to control promotions,
.hcy you'd etiectualy destroy the respectable
Ay and efficiency of the navy-for naval officers,
insaead of endeavoring to obtain distinction by
professional skill and heroic actions, would
place their chief reliance upon intrigue and
Marty attachments. In such case neither the
Senate 40. the public press would restrain the
partial action Party is omnipotent, and can
sio what it pleases with IMMUNITY, even when
acting contrary to express law or common jus
tioe-and, if the system recommended by the
Secretary were introduced our I avail officers
would soon cease to be recognized as the cham
Rtons OF the country, aud become the cham
P,oos Of party. We never wish to see this
rta:c of feeling introduced into the navy-and
yes we concur in the opinion expressed By the
fSaCretary, that the present mode OF promoting
officers has no reference to merit, and that, for
tho good of Tie service it should be abandoned
49, that is, provided better can be substituted.
H!uw would it answer to create a board of ma
val officers; upon whose recommendations pro-
Tao:,oas should be mads? The United States
E:obaby the greatest in the woodland hence
G3r necessity Of laying the foundation Of the ma
~ noon Il proper basis. Inducements should
tps offered TO naval officers to distinguish them
s7elyee and the most merltoilous should have
#Secedence in rank. As officers are presumed
u eovet honor more than mere pecunilry COM
s,eTsa!i0n for their services, we see no Obi &C.
tlaa II the adoption Of the titles of admlrGlS,
AT. AS in the nayies Of other countries. We
sail come to it at last; and if it would afford
encouragement to our officers, il might az wei.
lac :coortcd to at once The expense to- the
country need not DC increa sed under present
circumstances. In the selection Of military Of
l.ace,s, Bonaparte regarded merit alone; ana it
.p enown that many otthe best general officers
~ ''""'tiltS NVio VltFdlcd nun inferior std
BON. Oh accoanL Of some distinguished ser
a:nr The Secretary of the Navy aims at the
jrtludrction o. the same principle of raising
seE', N oar navy-and no is right-but the
r2ode OF securely eflecting this reform is diff
esilt 20 attain, Oh account of the danger OF re
&la.ug the chivalrlc spirit of our naval officers
.&;o .hato the trucking politician, VINO seek:
IT, obtain pEeiermeht by meanncss and sub
ss.sr,eRcy.