The care of the Turnpike Roads has been committed by Parliament, into the hands of Commissioners, selected from that class of society, most capable of executing the duties of superintendance, and from their station most likely to perform the duty with fidelity; in this respect the expectations of the public has not been disappointed; and there can be but one opinion, upon the obligations the country owes to this very respectable part of the community. Perhaps the only useful regulation wanted, in respect to Commissioners, would be to confine the qualification of Trustees to _landed_ property. The superintending and controuling power, so wisely placed by Parliament in the Commissioners, has not, however, been sufficient to 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.[5] Footnote 5: 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. 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 derived from providing each county with an executive officer, whose sole attention should be given to the business; whose services should be amply remunerated, and of whom the Commissioners might _of right_ demand an account of the manner in which their orders were carried into execution; who should examine and audit the accounts of the Sub-surveyors; compare them with the work performed, and certify them, if approved, to the Treasurers.