Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-03-04
RICHMOND ENQUlRGR.
FRIDAY MoRNiNG. MARCH I, 1852.

nft II ia v Il " is ia IL
FRIDAY MORNING. MARCH Z, 1852.
After mature consideration decidedly convinced Una
the substitute Of Mr. Garrett Of Halifax Tor tue t'ouse o
dv,u N. S,ue into Congressional districts 10 the mos
Just and ludiciuus that could be adopted II acc'ips''
the two fold object Of making compact districts anu doing JUS
lice between parties free from the charge OF geyhanuef
ing Ii avoids throwing large unwedy majoes OF elmer par
10 inn, unpany districts opens fair FIELD o7 contest IN
every district Of State, far the large deuocrauc
preponierance the State will admit the arrangement
|, presents an honorable with the gerrymander
ing scheme concoced by Wing party; and demonstrates
tina, their opponents can be magnanmous as JUST.
Considered with reference the Democratic party y IA
far better that The maores in each district shouu NC
parativey small and such only union, haho"y' o''
lion 10 the cause and indifference TO the personal 'hc
Of men, can maintain, than to make these naJofi'''s "
,oa and the success of the party apparently so certain
,hot devotion 10 the cause will yield every where TO fVa
between aspirants
II ia better tina, we should small majority and al
animated canvass in each district and thereby chance
carry The whole delegation. than to nave uh"eu5 j
ties in portion of the districts, leaving Inc wings cea
OF carving few districts, and posslbllity-nay, prom
b,y-of carrying many of our own DISTRICTS oy 'e
ries that are 40 apt prevail in them when our maJo
too large
The Board Of Public Works, under the new Constitute"
respecting which bill is now under consuf'a''"' :" -
LEGISLATURE will be tribunal second in importance 10 nom
in the Common The duties which II VIII DC re-
onred 10 neform and the responsibilities which VIII de-
yolve unon il will be of the first magnitude and nVolse ln
interests OF every portion OF the State 1t VIII De inc cine
executive power of the government; or the oePosi'oS
that executive power which will exercise the largest in
ence upon The public prosperity In the action OF us com
nsaiouers will be the or failure oil the "hoe nc
nal Improvement system Of the Sate-not merely tue ua
and breaking down Of single road or the emoartaSs"ep
and ruin Of single company; but the taiiufe anu A"
sgement of the States controlling interest III every gun
pany organized In the Commonwealth
rb Ro,rS will also have its especial direction ana
control the finances credit OF tho Stale-"hich al INT
present crisis internal Improvement sys'em fequ
more thorough knowledge of affairs, Joined win a9y anu
mastery decision OF character than all DINER interests
the Commonwealth together. Ii The powers connaeo u
This important body shall be wisely and judlcously admin
steed our public works will be prosecuted vigorously ant
completed speedily aud the finances oil the STATE paceu per
manen,v upon high and substantial basis If timid
esitang indecisive policy shall govern lis councils 'nen
delays and dssppoinments will oveake Inc puohc "ofks
and pecunary loss embarrassment and paralysis orertake
the State
The Legislature will commit fatal bunde If they 20 or
osnze the Board as surrender into inferior and nco
pe,en, hands and nohing will 50 eecuay accomplish Inc
result as mean and inadequate compensation Every CIT
zen who takes interest in the advancement ana prosper
" of the State feels deepest concern for the proper con
position of the Board and will coademn the pocy whch sha
ensure Its inefciency ought TO be remembered tat ON
in the service OF the State deserve east much COM
pens.on as those who perform like duties Tor the companies
The executive of the different Joint STOCK compa
ME. Of the State for pay OF Presidents alone must ap
oroach very nearly fifty thousand dollars year, WINS
all Other charges for administration must reach Two nun
dred and fifty thousand dollars This expendturel deemec
necessary by these companice 10 procure inc os
and 10 expedite rapidly the works they have IN charge
But the State has larger interest III these great works
than private stockholders interest whch requires 'h
n,,,icnisr and sspecal guardianship of her agents
cannot be supposed that competent men could De gotter
10 enter the Board puy SALARY confessedy MOI enough
Tor The support OF family.
II should not forgotten tiiat The willingness Of men tt
accept office small compensation is no proof OF the ade
quaieness Of the compensation or :" the competency OF INT
men very considerable number o disnteested patrols
OF the country could he found willing To accept the office OF
President of the GATED States for five dollars per annun
If the compensation allowed to the new Board be Toe
os The appointments will either go the hands of per-
sons who will pursue other means OF support, ma
king their duties at Board secondary and consequently
nspecny them; or into hands Of persons VIGOROUSLY
,nomoetent In either event the public interests would su
fer immeasurably.
To discharge the Of the Board properly will require
s members for several years. at least 10 be IN almost per
p.ua session. and to give their undivided attention 10 the
business of their office There several important works
Of the first magnitude that exclusively under the drcc-
lion of the Board Of Public Works. TO prosecute which pro-
perly and efficiently would require very large amount OF
talent time and labor.
The fund under the control of the Board will amount
T., more Than fifteen nlons Of dollars many hundred ap
condiments wilt their disposal every law upon Tie
pbect of internal improvement will require their careful
study and construction and the affairs OF every Joint stock
he nnder their attentive scrutiny and supervision
This responsibility ought be entrusted only to the most Gu
pate men of the common eah and these duties can only
e properly performed BY OF experience, hnness anu
decision Such men only be secured by compensa-
non commensurate with the responsibilities Of the post
and the labor to be performed.