The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-05


fault at the door of the several Bureaus, in the
Navy Department, this may in part, be true but
we are inclined 10 believe that some portion of it,
should he LAID on the head of that Department.
The Secretary has it in his power to give the
desired ad-but it is much To be regretted that
the Influence of the aristocrac chiefs Of the Blu
reaus. is SO great, that the Secretary is biased
thereby, and does not act as Independent, of them
as is his province. IL the Secretary would give
more personal attention to facts than fiction, and
act from his own impressions, rather than the idle
persuasions which used by these chiefs to ac-
complish their own ends, it would be far better
for him and the interests of the service.
And 1t is truly astonishing that the gttering of
the Eagle button at Washington, sheds such daz-
z|Ing rays, that even the eyes of some of the
members of our Congress, are blinded to all the
faults and errors committed by the Eagle button
aristocracy 1t has been said, that the present
head of the Navy Department, processes to be
strong partlzan, and one who would be instrument
tai in bringing about the desired reforms so lundly
and long called for, in that Department but all
hopes tor these reforms from him must be aban
doned, until he can act independently and throw
aside the Eagle button influence. The law is
made, all matters appertanng TO his Department,
have been transferred to him by the Executive
The people are calling for reform petitions have
been numerousy signed, forwarded and received
by him from different sections praying that the
laws of our country should be observed and exc
cuted. Yet we find the Secretary turns deaf
ear TO all the petitions and calls of the people
1t is high time we should awake from our sum-
bers, and speak our sentiments boldly and fully on
this subject if the laws of our country are not ex-
ecuted, what will be the condition of our repub-
lie if those in authority do give heed TO the
laws, it is time that others should be appointed
in their stead. We do not wish TO censure too
strongly the present Secretary, but we do think
that he should turn his thoughts to matters which
requires his special attention, The laws, for the
good of the service and benefit of the people
And not be governed by those who are now hold
ing, unawfully, the office of Chief Of the Bureaus
in the Department, under him. What is it,
would ask, induces the Honorable Secretary TO
retain in office those who have been placed there
in open violation of the law?
The law of August, 1642, recognizing the
Chief of the Bureau Of Construction, Equipment,
and Repairs, shall be " skiful Naval Consruc-
tor" | would ask if the present Chief of that
Bureau, is " skilful Naval Constructor 2" did
he ever draft, build or fit out ship? or does he
even know how to give the proper directions for
building or fitting out vessel? And would he
not consider it far beneath his dignity to be called
ship carpenter, entertaining, as these Chiefs do,
the contempt by them against this portion of the
industrious mechanics of our country, and an art
which the most exalted of our nation should be
proud to possess? No, Mr.. Editor, rather than
have practical man among them one who un-
derstands his business, and would soon convince
the people, as they well know, that what these
Eagle button Chiefs have been doing for series
of years, has been to retard improvement in our
| Navy, from the fact, that they are not suitable
persons for those stations. To hold this power
they will submit to a reduction of salary and al
most any thing else, rather than have among them
a man of practicable information.
| have been pleased to hear that one member, ,
at least, in Congress, is determined not to be
blinded by this glilterng influence, and is endea-
vorng TO arrive at the true state of the case.
allude to the gentleman from Ohio, Gen. Nc
| Dowell, he has brought forward resolution en-
quiring into the expediehcy of having civilians
| placed at the head of the Bureaus in the Navy
| Department And all citizens unbiased and un-
trammeled in these matters, will say, "Well
done thou good and faithful servant" We call
upon the citizens of our Town to come forward
and aid the work, by signing the petition which
is now being circulated to perfect this end, to
have civilians placed as Chief of the Bureaus
We shall then have those who can properly ap
precate the worth and talents of our numerous
mechanics. We have already too long and quiet
ly submitted to this usurpation, and now that the
oall is rolling and fully in motion, keep it going
until it shall rebound from Maine to Texas
Throw aside the fear of the tyranny and aristoc-
racy Of the Eagle button and show yourselves
FREEMEN
Portsmouth, March 2. 1916.
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