Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-02-18
For the Clarksburg Register.
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.


THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Mn EDIToR:-The latest intelligence
from Richmond indicates that it is high
ly probable the election for officers under
the new constitution will take place about
the first of July next, if not sooner; and
among the numerous officers to be elect
ed by the people, none is NOSE important
than that of Commissioner of the Board OF
Public Works. The future prosperity Of
Virginia must, and will, greatly depend
upon the competency. ability and eficien-
cy, of the three commissioners who are
hereaftef to constitute her Board of Pub
lie Works. The persons who may be de-
puted to take charge Of the present pub
lie Improvements in the State, together
with others that may be undertaken, in
conformity to the suggestions of the Gov
ernor in his late excellent message, must
be gentlemen not only of very high or
der of talents, but such as should, from
practical experience, and previous expert
ence with kindred subjects. possess every
requisite qualification.
Our present State debt is more than
$11 900, 900 and unless the commission
ers shall, in their recommendation of
measures, and in their expenditure of the
public monies exercise wise and Statutory
economy, they will incur debt which
the present generation will be unable to
discharge. The commissioner of this
part of the State will have double duty
to perform. Our wants are perhaps
greater, and the interests connected with
the different Improvements needed, more
difficult and diversified, than in any other
part of the State.
That the Legislature has determined to
change the policy that has hitherto pre-
vailed, and deyelOpe the vast resources
of the State, is apparent to the most casu-
al observer; and to adopt and carry out
a system of internalimprovement to con-
summation so long and so devourty look
ed for, it behooves the people of the
Northwest to make wise and judicious
selection of commissioner for this part of
the State. And whilst tits admitted that
the number of those possessing the re-
quisite qualifications may be a limited
one, yet some names can be mentioned
in connection with this station that will
challenge the appreciation of all to whom
they are known; and without disparage-
ment to the claims of any gentleman who
has been spoken of, we are pleased to be-
lieve that the Northwest does possess a
gentleman in the person of Col. Josiah d.
Wilson, of Harrison county, the present
able and efficient Superintendent of the
North western Road, eminently qualified
to discharge the duties of this Office
Col. Wilson has for many years perform
ed the duties connected with the general
supervision of the Northwestern Road,
and other similar improvements, in a
manner not only satisfactory to the public,
but such as to receive the most f1attering
and complimentary testimonials of the
present Board of Public Works, as well
as their predecessors on various occasions.
His very uniform, consistent, and Judi
cious course as State officer, has secured
for him many warm and devoted friends,
from the one terminus of the North-wes-
tern Road to the other, and the entire
confidence of the public, sndof the Board
of Public Works.
1t is not our practice TO write puffs nor
to deal in fulsome eulogies, but we hear
tily believe that the long, practical expe-
rience of Col. Wilson as a State officer,
his general intelligence and information
upon kindred subjects. together with his
peculiar fitness of mind for the Office in
question, render it highly important fol
the North west to secure his services as
one of the commissioners Of the Board OF
Public Works of Virginia.
HARRISON.