ADVERTISEMENT.
Since the Publication of the early editions of this Essay, the Author has witnessed with very great satisfaction the amendment of a large proportion of the Turnpike Roads, and some improvement of the Parish Roads. That the reformation has not been more extensive and successful, may be attributed to the error still persisted in by Trustees, of continuing the services of persons as Road Surveyors, who are not only altogether ignorant of the business they profess, but full of prejudices in favour of their own erroneous practice.
Another and a greater error has been committed lately, in several parts of the Country,and which has entirely arisen from the desire entertained of using the new method of Road making. This very dangerous error consists in employing persons who offer themselves as having been instructed in Road making on scientific principles, without due inquiry respecting their skill, industry, and moral character.
Among the many persons who present themselves to be instructed, a very small proportion acquire a competent knowledge of their profession, and this number is farther diminished by subsequent dismission for negligence, drunkenness, and dishonesty.
Of these rejected and incapable persons, great numbers are spread over the Country, soliciting employment; and many have been incautiously engaged by Trustees, without inquiry either as to their character or their ability in their profession.
Under the most favourable circumstances for the constant and vigilant control of a master,whose public credit depends on the economical and skilful performance of the work, it is difficult to keep sub-surveyors in the strict line of their duty; but it may be easily conceived how much the public must suffer from accepting the services of men rejected for gross misconduct, and placing them in situations of confidence, altogether freed from the only control capable of being exerted with effect. This error, although of recent date, has already been attended with very disastrous consequences in several places.
A practical experience of Six Years, has served to confirm the opinion of the Author, that the control of Commissioners over surveyors is altogether ineffectual; whether for direction in their active duties, or for protecting the funds of Trusts from waste and peculation. The unceasing control, and minute inspection of a person whom the surveyors know to be as much their superior in skill and general information, as in station in society, and in the confidence of the Commissioners, is absolutely necessary forthe protection of the Roads. Where such control is duly exercised, good management with economy will be the result; and wherever a mistaken notion of economy shall continue to prevent the application of such wholesome and necessary control, the roads will be imperfectly repaired, and the funds dissipated.
It appears from the returns made to Parliament, that the sum annually raised for the use of the Roads exceeds the neat revenue of the Post Office; yet is this very large sum expended through the hands of persons of the lowest rank in society, under an appearance of control; which equally deceives the public and deludes the expectation of those who conduct the general business of the Roads.
Commissioners can only act with effect, as a deliberative body; and their most beneficial resolutions are rendered valueless, through want of a steady executive power. Any attempt on the part ofindividualCommissioners to exercisethis power is a still more dangerous course. The designs of the majority may thus be impeded, or thwarted by the subsequent interference of a single person.
All other branches of the public revenue are defended by the station and character of the persons, under whose care they are placed. The Legislature and the Government have wisely considered it important (with a view to economy) to purchase talents, and station, as a protection for every branch of the public expenditure; but in the case of the Roads they have miscalculated the power and effect of the controlling and directing authority. A proper comparison has not been made of the duties, or of the effect of the exertions of a body composed of unpaid and unresponsible individuals, like the road Commissioners, and those of bodies composed of Boards of Commissioners, in the pay, and responsible to the Government for the due administration of the trust reposed in them: having also proper officers equally responsible as themselves to act under their directions.The state of the public roads, the alarming amount of an increasing debt, the loose and neglected state of the accounts of the several Trusts, are the best proofs of the defects of the system, and of its comparative inefficiency.
The returns made to Parliament by the several Trusts in the kingdom (defective as they are) afford matter for serious reflection. England alone, is divided into 955 little Trusts which may be considered, in fact, as hostile to each other; while it is evident that unity of action is of vital importance among Commissioners of the same branch of the public service, for effecting the great object of their appointment. While therefore each of those small communities is liable to be biassed by individual interest or feeling, it will hardly be deemed inexpedient to recommend some central control over the District Commissioners, that may have the effect of regulating the eccentricity of their measures, as well as giving their views, in many instances, a better direction. This central control will be most beneficially established in eachcounty, under such regulations, and with such powers as the wisdom of Parliament may deem most effectual.
A General Road Act must, in order to adapt itself to the exigences of the times, embrace a comprehensive view of the subject: and effectually remedy all the great evils which have originated in the weakness of the system, and have been allowed to grow up, through a want of attention to the altered state of the commerce, agriculture, manufactures, and general interests of the kingdom. Until the Legislature shall be pleased to enter into a serious consideration of the subject, no general and useful amendment can take place. The great debt, (exceeding at this moment Seven Millions,) will continue to increase, and improvement will still be impeded by obstacles not removeable by any other power except the authority of Parliament.