The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1859-07-13
Our Candidate for Commissioner OF the
Board of Public Works.

/ Our Candidate for Commissioner Of ii.
Board OfPnblic Works.
We venture to say that no nomination
made thisyear ii the Stateiof Louisiana
by tile Democratic party, is more fitting
than that Of Gen. DERussY, Of Natchito
ches, for the Office Of Commissioner Of ths
Board Of Public Work. The Chronicle il
announcing him as a candidate before the
convention speaks of him in terms Of ap
propriate eulogy as follows:
In bearing testimony to the thorough fitness o
this gentleman for the position to which he aspres
we take an especial pleasure, and in urging hi
claims are not inditing one Of those cold and for
NAL articles which newspaper editors sometimes
write by kind of involuntary mechanism. W.
know him to be fully qualified in every respect fol-
the Office, we are satisfied that no man in the State
has higher professional abilities for the discharge
of its duties, than Gen. DeR,ssy, and hence onl
warm, friendly personal regard, is fully sustained
in zealously urging his nomination.
It is needless for US to state to the people OF the
District who Gen. DeRussy is. For the last thirty
years he has been resident of North Louisiana,
fully identified with all its interests, and always
ready to aid in all its improvements. A graduate
of the West Point Military Academy, his education
renders him peculiarly fitted fol. membership Of
the Board of Public Works, aud a long experience
in civil as well as military Engineering will render
him, in the event of his election, y most valuable
member of the Board. If attainments Of a high or
der, a thorough acquaintance with the topography
and wants of the District tried services in the past
both in civil life and in the tented field, when hi
country required his services, are any ree0mmen
dation then we present all these to the considers
ton of the nominating Convention.
The Baton Rouge Advocate says
A better man than Gen. DeRussey could hardly
have been chosen by the Convention as candidate
for Commissioner of Public Works A graduate
of West Point, the General is thoroughly versed in
civil Engineering in all its branches, and is thus
practically qualified to suggest and superinend the
works of internal improvement contemplated in the
organization of the Board His soldier like straight
forwardness Of manners, proverbial integrity Of
character and recognized capacity for the Office,
beyond a doubt.
1t appears to us thatya scientific man
who combines much practical tqpograpl-
ical knowledge Of the State with his &C
quirements as an engineer is alone adapted
to the office.
Thirty years ago the Legislature of Lou.
isiana should have established perman-
entscientifc Commission for the purpose
of investigating our complicated system
of water courses, o., ascertaining by study,
example and experiment the most effectual
means of protection against overflow, Of
reclaiming submerged lands, of keeping
open the navigation of the Mississippi, its
tributaries and outlets, of fixing upon the
best routes for railways, Of applying to
practical use for the benefit Of the govern
ment and citizens of the State, such new
discoveries in science as can be made
serviceable, of preparing in a. condensed
form publications for general circulation
calculated to diffuse necessary scientific
information and Of guiding the Legislature
in all it's acts which are intended to devel-
ope the wealth and resources Of the State.
Under the guidance of such commission
legislation would have been uniform, per
manent, economical and adapted to the
proposed ends. If expended under
the direction. of such commission the
money that has been applied for protec
ton, for public works and for the reclana
ton of oycraowed lands, would have re.
turned an abundant remuneration. The
cost Of the employment Of scientific aid to
legislation would have brought forth,
like the seed which fell on good ground
a hundred-fold harvest.
What should have been done long ago,
may now be accomplished by choosing
for Commissioners of the Board Of Public
Works men Of the requisite qualification.
1t is on this account that we are gratifed
to present in our list Of candidates the
name of Gen. DERussy to the voters Of
the Third Swamp Land District. In view
of his capacity, his experience and his
scientific education, no less than Of his
high standing as an officer and citizen,
his nomination is one Of the best made 10
Louisiana at any time.
DEMOCRACY IN MAIsE.-The Democrats of Maine