The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-08-27
From the Courier d'Etats Unis.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT..

AS To MI Bancroft, he is prOfting by his con-
u'iu""cP III the administration. by occupying him
sell DUSTY In the introduction of important reforms
IN the American navy. He has commenced by
founding at Annapolis naval school for The re-
cepiI"n OF mldShlpmen in the intervals of their
voyages and cruises, and for the purpose of de-
voting to the study of the various branches of
maritime science, that time which is usually
spent by mariners in denesS. ifnnt in debauchery
The establishment will accommodate one hundred
young men, of whom the most industrious and
ihtcIIigent Will obtain rapid advancement
while those who shall be found to be ignorant or
incapable will be struck from the rolls. The
Senate has so well comprehended the advantages
Oi thS institution, that il has, without hesitation
appropriated the sum Of twenty eight thousand
dollars TO be placed at the disposal of Mr.. Ran.
croft The latter, in order to complete his work,
is maturing. it is said, the project of another
school which will resemble more nearly the
French schools. inasmuch the pupils enterinp
the school with the title of apprentices will leave
it with that of nlidShipmen
In the meantime he has lust adopted another
measure which introduces a new grade. and NJ
the same time, an improvement in the maritime
hierarchy. In future. the masters instead of he
ing appointed almost at random without anv pre
else rnle; VIII be selected from among the passed
midShpmen, who shall be found most worthy of
their services. The mdshipmen thus pron,oted
will have the pay Of masters. and will be CON
s'dered IN the line of promotion. SO that the pass
Ell InldSilipmen, before becoming lieutenant will
pass through the intermediate grade of ,nnstcr.-
This is good thing in itself. because it substi
tutes good seaman for a man often incapabIe
and good also in this, that it will excite the
emulation of the young men This plan. there
fore. like that of the schools, has met with gen
eral assent.
Such has not been the case with Mr. Bancroft's
proposal to substitute selection instead of Iapse Of
time as the general rule of promotion i'm the navy
This proposal has excited clamors and discoplcnts
which may ne understood coming from certain old
mariners. but which cannot be understood coming
from enlightened men, who sincerely desire the
greatness of their country IL is not unjust i'm
fact as the secretary himself has said-is il not
absurd. also, to set aside young man full of zeal
and perhaps OF talent, in order TO place the com
mand of vessel in the hands Of a man grown
old in subordinate situations. who has often neither
the information the energy necessary to enable
him 10 fill superior rank, and assume the re-,
Sponsblliy which is imposed upon him ? Not
That we hesitate to acknowledge that the new
system has likewise its inconvenience hut its
, advantages outweigh lis dangers, and besides
Ptndent admlNtnre OF the two modes of proceeding
may always be adopted; this admixturc constitutes
me happieSt solution of the question. To rive
everything to length of service is to rrupire the
seaman TO perform his duty strictly. without
energy, without zeal, and To grow old AT his INST
without any object in view but tp await Tho mn
ment when the superior rank shall reach him -
10 give much, If not everything To- merit is to
hold ont a reward to industry. 10 talents, TO the
energies Of the young men, i'm saving TO them
" The better you conduct Yourself the sooner Won
will arrive at your object" Or these twomodes.
which is the best to obtain young, INTELLIGENT.
active, and energetic seaman? The answer is
easy, and the example Of England and France is
al hand to illustrate it.
We believe then, that this last proposition Of
Mr.. Bancroft offers advantages sufficiently obvious
10 cause MS disadvantages 10 be overlooked Be
sides 1t Is the necessary and indispensable com
PIGMENT Of the first plans. which everybody ap
P!audS Tho moment yOu throw open an arena
u Is necessary that the victor should have a prize
J W view. Now, how can yOu award that prize TO
rnerl' u It belongs exclusively TO time We re-
peat once more the proposition Of the Secretary
| OF me Navy though it may interfere with some
individual interests, would accelerate the ad-
vancement OF the country, for it offers to talent
reward hitherto reserved exclusively for length of
continuance in service. That Mr. Bancroft pos
sesses just and enlightened mind, we were al
ways aware but the new organization which he
is endeavOring to give to the American navy, is
an additional proof to us that with intelligence.
good sense, and patriotism. man NAV accomplish
good IN any position in which he NAV find him
SELF, even though out Of his accustomed sphere.