Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-04-17
For The En1uirer.

Messrs Editors Having been myself de-
voted friend 10 the great line of Improvement,
from James River to the Ohio for quarter Of
century am sure you will indulge me in .
few speculations on the subject of that work
and the appointment ola President Of the Com
pany charged with its execution.
Ii is not 10 be disguised, that grea, as was the
conception Of this enterprise, and important &c
The State as lis success alway. has been, errors
incident 10 The varied circumstances under
which the work has been carried on, have c.
curred and many Of the best men in the Com
monwealh, while periodically struggling for
The contamination of this gigantic measure OF
State police, have been stranded upon the pre-.
JUDGES occasioned by these errors. But il is
hoped better day has dawned upon the good
oid commonwealth, and that all may see and
ieel tue Importance Of speedy execution Of
the scheme. The increa cd mud constantly in.
creasing revenue OF the James River and Ka-
nawha Company makes assurance doubly sure
that the State may now embark in This improve
mcht with new energy, and the brightest pros
poets Of glorious triumph Of the long-cherisb
cd hopes Of many patriotic legislators who
have fallen in the cause. The revenue of the
Company begins 10 compare favoraby with the
S'"oNbl VI idIu IDA VI tllG WHUIc w Udl
Wilt be in a few years when the South west
IS opened 10 this line' And what, when the
main line is opened to the Ohio2 II is evident
that The revenue of the Company will far ex-
coed the whole revenue Of the State on lands,
negroes, and all other subjects. With proper
exertions this improvement may yet be opened
to the Ohio within one or two years Of the
time, when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
shall reach that river; and, if so, Virginia will
fairly compete with Maryland for the travel,
and wi more than equal her in the produce of
The West. Ought not every Virginian now 10
lay his shoulder 10 The wheel'
In taking retrospect Of the men and mea-
sufes connected with this great enterprise, can.
not suppress my desire to mako suggestion in
reference TO filling The vacant office of Presi-
dent Of the James River and kanawha Compa-
ny. will imagine that gentleman ,uitable, to
such appointment, should possess high, liberal
and statesmanlike views with reference to the
Improvement OF every section of the State
that he should be we'll tried by long course Of
experience in the legi.l alton of the country;
and if any reference be had to sectional consi-
derations, that he should come from THAT Sec
ton. from whence the great tody of friends to
Internal improvement, upon liberal and just
views, do come, and that he should be sound
and undertaking friend Of the central, as well
as of all proper marginal Improvements. He
should be man of Intelligence Of strong prac
tca common sense, and have good general
knowledge Of men and things. He should not
be "kinky" as TO preconceived notions, but i'm
partial and liberal as to the different kinds Of
improvement which have been or may be con.
nected with the central line, and have capacity
TO judge properly OF what may be best for the
Commonwealth. With such President, con-
nected with the distinguished Engineer OF the
Company and able Directory, should augur as
speedy completion OF this great en- erprise as the
force Of circumstances would permit.
When look al John S. Gaaher, think |
have an inalyitual in my eye with the qualifica-
lions named and many more. He is and has
been firm i.iead Of this Improvement Tor more
than twenty years. lie has never feiIeaied rom
its supper upon airy occasion-nct even when
PERSONAL popularity or safety urged such
course. La tru,n he has stcod Sy the work
through all lis adversely As we'll as lis prosperity
and yet his lora interests and his constituents
were in The Winchester valley, remote from The
James or Kanawaa. Mr.. Gallaher, by long
course Of liberal, nc!ons aid siaiesman-llke !e-
yslation in both Houses Of Assembly, has en-
feared himseifln thousands Of The good people Of
his Communicable, Io only from the great i'm
sections, bur from all parts ot the
State And il * not lilllc remarkable that IL
las SO occurred that The large section OF Country
rom which he comes, 10 VII: that above The
head OF Underwater and North OF the valles Of the
James and Kanawha rivers, is without any re-
preventative in The Executive, the Board OF Pub
ic Works or The James River and hanaTha
Company, and consequently without any voice
n the management Of the funds which can alone
,e appropriated by he aid Of Senators ard Dele
yates from said section.
But Mr. Gallaher has stood by cur common
country from boy OF sixteen, when be promptly
,olun,ecrcd 10 aid in driving The British from the
Capital! Then printers boy, he was among
he first in he ranks, with these memorable
vords printed in large type prominently on his
Ynopsack, GVlcToRY OR DEATH" Ever animal
d by true patriotism, he has always maintained
he glory # his country. a. B.