In many cases the kind of road to be constructed, the tolls to be
charged, and the amount of profit to be permitted, were laid down
in the charters. Thus new problems confronted the various
legislatures, and interesting principles of regulation were now
established. In most cases companies were allowed, on producing
their books of receipts and expenditures, to increase their tolls
until they obtained a profit of six per cent on the investment,
though in a number of cases nine per cent was permitted. When
revenues increased beyond the six per cent mark, however, the
tendency was to reduce tolls or to use the extra profit to
purchase the stock for the State, with the expectation of
ultimately abolishing tollgates entirely. The theories of state
regulation of corporations and the obligations of public
carriers, extending even to the compensation of workmen in case
of accident, were developed to a considerable degree in this
turnpike era; but, on the other hand, the principle of permitting
fair profit to corporations upon public examination of their
accounts was also recognized.

The stone roads, which were passable at all seasons, brought a
new era in correspondence and business. Lines of stages and
wagons, as well known at that time as are the great railways of
today, plied the new thoroughfares, provided some of the comforts
of travel, and assured the safer and more rapid delivery of
goods. This period is sometimes known in American history as "The
Era of Good Feeling" and the turnpike contributed in no small
degree to make the phrase applicable not only to the domain of
politics but to all the relations of social and commercial life.