The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1880-02-27

iNf nANthNNlfltiH NNti'iW rHNNN W
specially directed at this time;
/. That under the new law the sew
eral Boards of Directors are required
to file their an ual reports of receipts
aud disbursements with the Clerk Of
The County Court at the May term Of
SAID Court, and for failure to do so
they are liable 10 prosecution.
Their reports need not give the mi
mute details Of every dollar received
and expended, but only the aggregate
sums thereof. showing what have been
their receipts, how much has been ex.
pended for repairs on the road, how
much on toll houses, how much for
salaries, DC. the condition Of the road
and Of their treasury. Such reports
the State requires from all the turn.
pixies in which IL is a stakeholder.
Whilst it is true that the several
Boards should require foil statement
from their President aud Treasurer Of
every dollar received and expended,
yet their annual reports to the County
Court need not give ali their details
but only their aggregate.
,. In their annual settlements with
their President, upon whom devolye
the management and control Of the
roads. the Boards should scrutinize
said management, whether it has been
wise, judicious and economical, wheth-
er any change could be made for the
better, whether the President has
faithfully discharged his duties in col
Letting and expanding the tolls; wheth-
cr be is the best man that can be had
for the position, whether there should
be any change in gatekeepers, &c; in
fact the whole interests Of the roads Of
which they are the responsible mana
gers should be looked into, 50 as to-
keep the roads in good repair, at
the least expense, and if practicable
save a small annual dividend for the
stockholders.
3. The stockholders should give at.
tention To the annual election of the
Boards Of Directors Of the several
turnpikcs. The whole benefit of these
roads, rs public improvements of very
great advantage To the citizens Of the
county, is placed under their control.
The whole success Of these roads is in
the keeping Of these Boards II they
are composed Of vigilant, prompt bus.
iuess men the roads will be kept in
good condition. but if they take no in
tcrcst in the roads, seldom attend the
meetings Of the Board, aud when they
are present are little more than idle
spectators, then any particular road
will soon show the sort Of a Board il
has IL is the privilege and the duty
of the stockholders to see 10 il that
these Boards are composed OF the best
men that can be prevailed upon to ac-
cept the position. The system Of dead.
heading the members Of the Board has
worked disastrously to the turnpikes.
Men have sought and held the posi-
ton Of members of the Board mainly
to save the toll Of themselves and fam.
lilies. Having accomplished this they
are satisfied, and take little or no in
terest in their roads. The whole sys-
tenn ought at once to e abolished.
The Board ought to be paid for their
service II they do nothing they
should he paid nothing, For a series
of years men have been paid literally,
if not extravagautly, for doing moth.
ing The remedy is in the stockhold.
ers. They can ioeed out all deud heads.
They can constitute these Boards Of
efficient men, and at the approaching
election let the reform be started. II
this system were abolished the Boards
could be literally paid spr their SER
n III l..
saved annually To the stockholders.
Railroads are generally rich corpora
tons. They can afford to make as
many men dead.heads us they please.
Turnpikes are too por to do this. They
cannot support figure heads--mere or.
namental appendages. s. S. McR.
] A.......t. a.. L. - ,,ff,,, l..to.