306 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



extended, and a system of strict accountability maintained 

 throughout the department. 



The public could thus enjoy the benefit of the skill and inge- 

 nuity of educated talent, which under town management is 

 scarcely possible, and the people would be assured that their 

 money would bring them beneficial returns instead of being 

 wasted by mischievous incompetence. 



Under a general system, stone-crushers, steam-rollers and 

 other costly machinery might be employed, and other means of 

 economizing labor adopted, that towns cannot command. Suita- 

 ble materials for road making could be prepared at the most con- 

 venient places, or where found of a superior quality, without 

 reference to town lines. Towns cannot individually provide for 

 a competent supervision of the roads, an advantage which a gen- 

 eral system insures. 



The details of the system might be arranged as found most 

 expedient, or as would best accord with the prejudices and habits 

 of the people. 



The tax levied for the roads might be paid into the State treas- 

 ury, and the money expended for the best advantages of the 

 general public, or allotted to the districts according to their rel- 

 ative needs, or it might be paid to the county treasurer, to be 

 expended within the county, or again it might be collected as 

 now, and expended wholly in the towns where raised. 



Details of Working. 



Either of two methods might be adopted for doing the work 

 upon the roads. Gangs of hands working together may be as- 

 signed to districts of such extent as they can go entirely over in 

 limited periods and do the work needed ; or men may be sta- 

 tioned singly along the line, each with the length of road that 

 he can properly look after. 



The workmen, in either case, would be subject to the over- 

 sight and direction of the road-master or overseer of the sub- 

 district. Parties working in gangs would each require a horse 

 and cart for their use, and would do all the necessary work of 

 cleaning and repairing the roads ; but the duties of preparing 

 and distributing materials to depots convenient for use, of re- 

 moving the road-covering where worn out, of rolling the surface, 

 &c., would require to be performed by distinct parties. The 



