Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-12-14

teu w All ouF WofkS Ol Improvement by n
board composed of those who can devote
their whole time and attention 10 this sub
ci,andwho, un,rammeled byotherpublic
duties, can visit and inspect the work for
themselves, and thus obtain information
that can be had in no other way. Each
meRberof the former board filed some
other important Office, the dulis Of which
required all his time and attention. and
which necessarily suffered more or less
as his attention was bestowed upon 9th
CT subjects. But have no hesitation in
saying that the devotion to the public in.
tereat of those distinguished gentlemen.
with whom | had the honor of being as
soctdred ic that board. was not tIimIuish-
ed because of their inability to perform a
double service.
The great interests of the common
wealth are now directly involved in her
system OF internal improvements and
whether we consider the Importance OF
these works of themselves or the large
amount of money to be expended in their
construction, the duties deyolyiug upon
the Board of Public Works are Of the first
imagnitude. Much of their time should
necessarily. therefore. be spent togethe r
at the seat of government us the most
central and suitable point. 1t may be
that some additional legislation upon this
subject is called for. The Importance and
diversified interests aPperLaining TO the
office will necessarily demand the uudi-
yided attention of the commissioners; and
with this view, sound policy aud strict
Justice require the allowance of adequate
salaries. The importance OF the subject
cannot fail to attract your vi4i!aut atten-
ton, and any other modification of the
present law or additional legislation chat
experience may suggest, will. | doubt not,
receive your immediate consideration.
Upon the great and absorbing subject
OF Internal improvements have but little
to suggest in addition 10 the suggestions
heretofore made by me upon this subject.
'Fhe system had the honor to submit to
the general assembly then, was sub5tm-
TALLY adopted by that body as the basis
OF q scale Of Improvements which, when
completed, will not only reflect credit up
on Virginia, but place her in the front
Frank With her sister States in all the ele-
meats of greatness-develop her inyalu-
s6Ee treasures, and in retura for the l;bc-
raj expenditure, contribute an hundred
fold to The wealth and prosperity of her
citizens. L am happy to be able to as
sure You that these WORKS are progressing
with commendable rapidity, and if sus-
tanned by your fostering care, bid fair
soon to be completed.
The Northwestern Virginia railroad,
which Is under the management of, and
being constructed by. the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad company, is pressing for
ward with that energy which SO Justly
characteriZes that company. This road,
as n stem of the Baltimore and Ohio rail
road. will prove of great benefit to
passes, and the effects that will follow its
completion have already been partially
fell. 1t is expected that this road will be
completed in about eighteen months, and
that it will meet another OF a similar cha
raGter. to be constructed in the State Of
Ohio at or near parkersblrg. deem it
proper to suggest that, in any future le-
gislation that may be asked for By the
company, great care should be taken to
secure to the town upon the Virginia side
tthe riser, all the advantages to be de
rived from such Il location, and, if posi-
Die, protect the citizens Of that part OF
the commonwealth from u discriminating
tariff of tolls tina. will sacrifice their intc-
rests in that competition which is inevita-
bic between Baltimore and other cities of
the North, for the business of the coun
try beyond the Ohio.
The Coyington and Ohio railroad is
partly under contract, and being directly
,,,,,l.. i e ~ ,f Oh =,
Works, l doubt not the work will, be pres
scd forward with that energy its iHpor-
lance demands. The work upon the
Lexington and Big Sandy road, with
which this is designed to connect, has
been commenced, and we should endeav-
or to finish ours by the time that shall
have been completed. The Importance
of the work is manifest to all, and will
doubtless secure for it that fostering care
it SO much needs
The Central railroad is being pressed
forward to completion with an energy
that must be gratifying to its warmesI
friends. This road, uniting as it does,
with the Covington and Ohio road. and
thus forming continued chain of railroad
between the Ohio river and TiIewater, is
q WI II VI tllC lAiSL III port duCS. OnC Sec
ton Of this line, OF about IS miles, CON
ststs of the Blue Ridge Railroad, which
was undertaken aud is being Constructed
by State agents and with State mems
y part Of this section embraces the tunnel
through the Blue Bidgc, 4 work OF ex-
treme difficulty, causing unavoidable de-
lay ia the completion of the section. The
tunnel is 4248 feet in length. and it is
confidently expected that it will be COM
pleted By the first Of January, 1856. The
psxloration on the first of November last
was 93l7 feet, leaving 1881 feet to be cut
There had been paid for the construction
OF this section up to the same time, S874,-
578 10; audit Is estimated that the ex-