It is unfortunate that the State cannot avail itself of the services of those who are especially fitted, either by educa tion or practice, to perform the duties of the office for, in visiting the headquarters of the different roads for informa tion, and in compiling the returns, one must have made a special study of railway accounts and railway management, or he will fail in gaining such information as will be of value to the public.

Section 12, chapter 157, General Laws, prescribes the following as to qualification for the office N 0 stock holder, officer, or other person interested in any railroad shall be eligible as railroad commissioner; and if any per son elected to the office shall become an officer, stockholder, or interested in any railroad, he shall immediately cease to hold the office.

The inference is, that a premium is placed upon igno rance as being a qualification for the office for, if one has any knowledge of railroad affairs, accounts, or manage ment, he at once becomes ineligible therefore the man who can hold the office must commence de uovo, and, without any assistance from the State, educate himself the best he can for the duties he is expected to perform, and before he has acquired sufficient knowledge to feel any confidence in making suggestions that might prove of value to the pub lic, his term expires, and he gives way to another, who must necessarily go through the same experience.

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