secure all the objects of the Legislature. A scientific, laborious, executive power is wanting; and no means having been thought of for this part of the service; it has been altogether neglected, or at best very unprofitably supplied by a set of Surveyors, altogether ignorant of the duties of the office they were called upon to fill.[1]
General superintendance and gratuitous services, such as the law contemplated to receive from the Commissioners of Turnpikes, may be obtained, and have been faithfully and conscientiously given by the Commissioners; but that constant and laborious attention, requisite to superintend the executive duties of a turnpike trust, cannot reasonably be expected from gentlemen engaged in other pursuits. Were they to undertake the task, it must be subject to all the interruptions of their private affairs, or other occupations; and this alone would render their services nugatory. Some instances of individual zeal and exertion, on the part of Commissioners, in particular parts of the country, have served to show what benefit might be
- ↑ The general laws relating to highways seem sufficiently calculated
to answer the purpose intended by them, if Overseers were qualified with
a sufficient degree of judgment to execute them properly, and of industry
and spirit to do it effectually.
Homer's Enquiry, Page 18.
