221
«d; and, in so far as publicity insures rectitude to measures, no-thing being more subjected to the check of public opinion, thanthe administration of roads. Sometimes, however, we find thebasis of administration has been narrowed injudiciously, in con-fining the trust to those possessed of 4-00/. valuation; more com-monly, it is enlarged to comprehend all landed proprietors worth10(2. Scots valuation, or 100/. Sterling of rent, or, even moniedmen, having no land, if worth 2000/. capital. Chief Magistratescf royal burghs are also always trustees.
If vested, solely, in a few proprietors of overgrown fortunes,there cannot be a doubt, that economy would be less consulted,and that the funds might be diverted from use to ornament; suchas, magnificent approaches, bridges contrived for the vista, &c.He would doubtless be held a Goth, who should object to pub-lic ornament. If there are not funds for both, however, use oughtassuredly to take the lead; it is profitable use, that can pay foritself, and yield a surplus, which can alone supply the meanswhence ornament can be afforded.
The broader the basis of administration, there is the less dan-ger of combinations for mutual accommodation. Probably, itmight also be desirable that the trustees should be accountableto some other judicature than that of their own body, if only aboard could be formed to that effect, upon such principles, as notto turn out a mere creation of office, for the purpose of influence.The responsibility of trustees to Judges on the circuit, is falleninto disuse.
Very generally, the trustees on the toll and by-roads are thesame persons In Kincardineshire , we find liferent tenants, orfarmers having leases for nineteen years, admitted to the admini-stration of the statute labour, and by-roads,—a constitution de-serving of imitation.
The general term of the county acts is for twenty-one years;hut there seems no good reason why it should be so limited, andthe county subjected to the weighty expense of a fresh applica-tion to Parliament. If the officers of the Legislature shouldfeel a diminution of perquisites, from a prolongation of the term,"hy not proportionally augment their salaries ?
The maximum of the toll exigible is stated in these county acts,aud the maximum conversion of statute-labour, with power in thetrustees to lower both rates; only they must, in lowering them,have the consent of those who lent money upon them, at a givenexisting rate.
All the reporters concur, in representing a great waste of ex-penditure as having taken place, when the counties first set onfoot the reformation of their roads, upon the powers of their spe-fal acts of Parliament , from an ill judged economy, in attempt-ln £ to repair the old existing roads, instead of forming them al-together anew,—a measure that oft times,, after much idle ex*