This individual was empowered to freeze assets and to try to ensure that no one absconded with the payments by travelers. It represents the norm in governmental response to these types of problems. Professor Wexler's essay concerns discretion. He describes it as an oft-forgotten aspect of the law. He claims they fail in their attempt.
Discretion is the greater part of their role.
Professor Wexler continues his discussion by asserting that if discretion is the major part of an administrator's role than education as to the proper use of discretion should be given more emphasis. This line of thought fits in with the English approach to policing interpersonal relations as noted by R. Thomas Farrar. The English tend to trust their police and others in authority to exercise the powers given them with reasonableness and common sense. Farrar contrasts this with the American distrust of those in authority and desire for limits and constraints to be in place as a check on the exercise of power. These are tendencies not absolutes.