The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-01-10
CORRESPONDENTS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 1876.

WAsHlNGroN, JAN 3, 1876.
Dear Sir The Senate went into Executive
session alter the usual hour for resolutions and
petitions. IL is believed the nomination of Cn,n.
mander Ogden, for Captains commission in The
Navy, was before the Senate. BY reference 10
The Navy Register, il will be seen thai this off
Ger stands TIN on the list of Commanders The
officers above him are, Commanders Gaunt Ram.
sey, Downing. and Henry. 1t is no, nv in,en.
'l"n To discuss the particular merits, or dement's.
oil any OF these officers; but will merely refer
you TO Secretary Bancroft's proposition to promote
ny merit, and not wait for the tardy rule of semi
ofity. In selecting this officer TO carry out his
rule he could not have found one more capable. or
better qualified, with a character unblemished
and talents of no ordinary kind. He served as
MidshIpman on board the Essex in the action al
valparaiso where this ship encountered the
BRUSH irigate Ph9be, and sluop of war Cherrb
was promoted in 1917 10 Lieutenant; and is
now Commander. For one, must confess.
that my predictions in favor of The Secre,a
rvs pan-lt Is beautiful in theory, and think
can be made equally SO in practice. Under the
present system and rules Of custom-two officers
applying for the same service, the one WIN is The
senior Is always passed over the junior regardless
Oh MS qualifications or sea service IL is ONLY nnv
necessary I" live 10 green old age and imbecilty
TO acquire rank in the Navy-aciiyi,y. effcjency
talents, ardor, enthusiasm, patriotism, attention
10 duty, and constant sea service is nauoht. The
lazy, inefficient, stupid drone, may linper aruupd
his own hreside for years, and then ster forward
and claim his promotion over his superior. in ev
cry respect but age. Cast your eyes around vnu
at the bar, bench, State legislatures. in tho Ma.
iIonal legislative Halls, and we scarcely see ms
beyond the prime of life even the Presden, was
selected more 10 put aside old Huakers, and es
tahlsh New Fra, than from any other cause
then why let the Navy lag behind this New
Era We are in the habit of speaking of the
fathers of the Navy. Is it not time to cali thsm
grandiallieIs, and few could be STYLED Grand
mas. The fathers of the Navy no longer exis,
HULL, DECATUR, PERRY, McDoNoUGH, and
PORTER, are no more 1t was these men wbs
shed halo around the Natun's FIag-it was
those men who built up and disciplined the NAVY.
the rest, with but two exceptions are but ..upDer
leather and pruneLia." Shall we SET aside these
old grey boards? is now the general inquiry.
answer unhesiiatingly yes-most assuredty YES
L he time for action has arrived action Dromn,
and decslve-and it is to be hoped tie Naval
Committees in both Houses may bring in report
that will cause 10 be carried out the views of Mr.
Bancroft, so nobly offered TO them. and so nohIv
expressed. This incubus Of old age, decrepitude
and inactivity has too long paralyzed the Navy
We wish to see II rem0ved-and that most speed
lily. This is a New Era in politics, in literature
IN inventions, in the march Of liberal prncipl.. in
the policy OF the Government, and i'm science
Why should it not be New Era in the Navy q
must the blighted corn still cucumber the around
OF shall 1t be turned in and crop be planted
yours truly, JACK FLYBLOCK