60 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



improvements, using the balance each year to keep up such 

 parts of the ways as could stand the delay, picking out loose 

 stones and otherwise keeping them in a passable condition, till 

 their turn came for a more perfect treatment. 



This would be one plan. Another would be to autliorize or 

 require tlie towns to elect a road-master, under whose direc- 

 tion all the surveyors for the year, whatever the number might 

 be, should work, and to whom alone they should be responsible 

 after their election by the town. He should also be elected for 

 a term of years with a liberal salary, to be fixed either by the 

 law or by the town at the time of his election. He should be 

 required to give his personal attention to all the important 

 alterations or repairs of the highways, and generally direct tlie 

 time and the manner of the performance of all labor done on 

 the roads by the surveyors or those under their employ, report- 

 ing in writing at the annual town meeting with a statement 

 of what had been done, and suggesting the requirements of the 

 roads for the future. 



Another plan would be to authorize the towns to elect a 

 board of say three commissioners, in the same manner as school 

 committees, who should hold their office for a term of years, to 

 whom should be committed the whole supervision of the roads, 

 and who, so far as the construction, laying out and repair of 

 roads go, should hold the position already suggested in speak- 

 ing of the selectmen. Being chosen with special reference to fit- 

 ness for the position, they might be more competent than any 

 board of selectmen chosen for other and more general duties. 



Another still better plan, perhaps, would be to authorize or 

 require the towns to appoint a skilful road engineer, with all 

 powers, rights and duties suggested for the superintendent, and 

 which are now exercised by the highway surveyors. He should 

 be required to perform all the duties relating to laying out, 

 altering and repairing the highways, which now devolve upon 

 the selectmen. His plans might be subject to the approval of 

 the board of selectmen if thought best, or be submitted to the 

 town for acceptance. 



Still another plan would be, as suggested by one of the 

 writers of the essays already alluded to, to require each town 

 to appoint an inspector of roads, to act in concert with two, 

 three or more similar inspectors from adjoining towns, and also 



