Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-12-01

the dispassionate observer will perceive it TO
be an experiment, and perhaps an unsuccess-
fnl one, to promote private gain. It is not my
intention to trifle with the reader, or to treat
my subject with levity.
Few questions come before our highest judi
cial tribunal, more weighty in their couse-
quences than many OF those relating to the To-
cation and alteration of roads, to be decided
by one subordinate in jurisdiction. would
not make suggestion in derogatiou of the a.
bility or integrity OF those whose province it is
to decide questions of this sort. They, no
doubt, are aware that sagacious investiga-
| tion is requisite in many cases to enable them
to arrive at a discreet decision, The veil
that covers private views is to be torn away,
ciashing interests are to be weighed, and the
public interest which is a paramount consider
alton, is to be closely investigated.
Ii IS not unirequently proclaimed in the
rage of excess, that the convenience of the
traveller requires the abandonment of many
of our fourishing villages Hadwe not whole
some laws judiciously administered, it is be-
ileVed we might witness innovations Of this
sort as absurd as they would be unjust. |
will not cast reproach on the administration
OF our laws, although evils have crept in I'M
der their sanction. do not mean to be un-
derstood that there is no supposable case, or
case that may exist in which such an aban-
donment would be expedient. But we must
suppose the existence of powerful reasons to
warrant the adoption of such measure.
They cannot be- doomed Of ordinary char
| acter which would in effect doom such valua-
BILE portions Of the community to kind of ex-
| lie IN such an expression is allowed) having
long enjoyed and supported, in a laudable
manner, a commodious thorough fare for their
own and the convenience OF the public.
1t seems TO be a prevailing notion with ma
ny In the location of highways, that the dis
lance from one place of extensive commerce
to that of another of a like character, is the
only consideration TO be regarded. The null
tiplicity Of concerns which lead people into a
great variety of different directions, equally
important for the common avoCations of life,
do Tot seem to be taken into the account.
The consequence OF stunning old routes
passing through the centre of towns and viii
lagos, is generally to open one through a
| cherries and uninhabited region, where labor
| is generally bestowed with no small degree of
reluctance. Is the aspect of the country
through which the traveller passes matter of
indifference to him? Does the view of neat
mansions with their appendices, and thriving
villages render his journey less pleasant, or ex
cite in him no curiosity ? Will he find along
the new, cherries waste, houses of entertain
ment completely furnished to his taste, COM
fort and accommodation The importance OF
these inquiries every one, in the least CONVEX
SAINT with the world, will readily admit. 1t is
tact which must also be conceded, that the
excess of necessary number of highways is
nuisance.
The irresistible consequence is neglect of
| suitable attention to those which are necessa-
ry. People do not cheerfully perform works
OF supererrogation, nor cordially bestow labor
which operates against their own interest. All
that is bestowed in this way is extorted by the
force Of the law, which is deemed oppressive
in its operation. Arraign them before legal
tribunals for neglect OF duty, and you by SO
doing only fan the fame of discomfort. With
draw from people the inducements to emula-
ton, and you will perceive the spirit of public
enterprise to flag at once. Sufficient virtue,
| patriotism and liberality are not wanting to
promote every enterprise of real utility. Large
and respectable corpora ions do not very
chee'fully expend day after day in delibera-
ton, to determine the most judcious mode OF
| RESISTING tue opportunities Oh restless ndlVldu-
ais. Had the time and money, which have
been lavished In this way, been judiciously
appropriated to public uses, believe we might
realize greater Improvements than we now
witness.
A revolution in this state of things is obvi
ously necessary. The suggested project, o.
surveying the County, would probably be fol-
lowed with very beneficial effects The pros
ecution ofsuch an undertaking, it is believed
would be in accordance with the general sen,
timent. CITIZEN.