The Press.
London, England, 1856-09-13 00:00:00

THE UNITY ASSURANCE CASE.

THE explanations of the Board of Directors at the
general meeting on Thursday of the Unity Life
Assurance Shareholders, have failed to remcve the
public impression that the conduct of all engaged
in this Glasgow affair has been, at best, highly dis-
creditable. We have no interest in the quarrel
between Mr. Barmy and his Board, but, in common
with the public, we are somewhat concerned in the
question causing the rupture.,
The real point for consideration is whether an
assurance society is justified, under any circum-
stances whatever, in effecting a compromise. A life
policy is either legally payable or it is not. There is
no middle course to be pursued in the matter ; and
those who, like Dr. Lr.ovn and Mr. 11'IELAND, pro-
pose a concession of claims, are either guiltily com-
pounding with crime, or, by trading upon a poor
man's fears or necessities, committing a shameful
act of dishonesty.
There is no escape from this result, and it is
utterly futile for the principals engaged in this dis-
graceful affair to shirk the responsibility of their acts.
Dr. LLOYD tells us this week that the case was a lair
case for compromise, and asks if indisputability
covers fraud P But it may be retorted,—should
fraud be covered by compromise He then
tells the shareholders that the business of the
company in Glasgow would have been destroyed
if the question had gone before the legal
tribunals. Not if the case of the Company

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were just. Neither do we see that probable loss of
business justified a compromise with fraud. If fraud
existed, which Dr. LLOYD would seem desirous we
should infer, there is all the less reason for compro-
mise, and the more for resistance to the claim. But
where is the fraud in this case? Not, surely,
OD Mr. AITKENS side. Mrs. AITKEN, Dr. LLOYD
was satisfied, had died from natural causes, but
but he says, "very grave circumstances came to his
knowledge, by which this policy was obtained." Yet
he will not state the circumstances, for fear he should
render himself" liable to an action for libel." This is
a poor excuse with the funds of the Company at his
back to bear him out. But these mysterious fraud-
ulent circumstances, now for the first time brought
forward, do not appear to have any weight with
the Board of Directors, for they ground their
defence upon the legal point that payment, after a
compromise had been effected, could not be made
until a claim was preferred, and they have unani-
mously declared that so sown as the proper
form of claim for the balance of 1,2501. is made,
they will be ready to pay the money over, and
expiate their former error. Indeed, the cheque for
1,2501. was publicly exhibited at the meeting in
proof of the intentions of the Board. What, then,
becomes of Dr. LLOYD and his fraudulent circum-
stances which he detailed:in a report to the Board?
The proof of their willingness to pay the 1,2301. is
at least strong evidence that they have no faith in
Dr. I.,Lovu's report. But these "circumstances " must
have been potent, for Dr. LLOYD asserted, on Thurs-
day, that the Board were satisfied with them, and
related :

When Mr. Jackson came in on one occasion he got up
and denounced the compromise. I said, " Stop, you ha►e
not heard all the circumstances ; let me tell them." I did
so, and Mr. Jackson then said, " I am satisfied."

There is too much mystery about the whole affair,
but yet not sufficient to hide from the public that an
assurance society professing) indisputable principles,
did permit and confirm a compromise with a legal
claimant. The essence of the purity of the princi-
ples of Assurance is opposed to a compromise under
any circumstances. If you once admit the principle
of compromise the door is open to the rascality of
unscrupulous agents, and to the commission of
crime to an extent restricted only by fear of discovery.
The result of the meeting on Thursday is so far
satisfactory, it has purified the atmosphere of Cannon-
street, and will teach a severe lesson to Insurance
Companies, that proceedings inconsistent with good
faith and probity will not be tolerated a moment.

CHESTER.—In consequence of the announcement
of Mr. Stanley's retirement from the representation,
the names of several gentlemen have been already
mentioned as candidates, among them Mr. George
Wilbraham, jun., Mr. Recorder Welsby, Mr. Robert-
son Gladstone, and of Mr. P. S. Humberston.
CoLCIIESTER.—Mr. J. Gurdon Rebow, of Wyvenho-
park, has issued an address to the electors of Col-
chester, stating that as Mr. Taverner Miller and Mr.
Alfred Hamilton have announced themselves as can-
didates on the Conservative side, for the vacancy
which is expected shortly to occur, it is his intention
to solicit their suffrages on the opposite side. He
says :

My political opinions, generally, are known to you.
They are constitutionally liberal on all the great questions
which occupy public attention at present. There is, how-
ever, one question, comparatively a new one, which is
growing into national importance, I mean the endowment
of Maynooth College, on which my opinions may not be
so generally known. I at once state, therefore, that I am
prepared to support the total withdrawal of that endow-
ment by the State.

THE SELEcr COMMITTEE appointed by the House
of Commons to inquire into the receipt, issue. and
audit of public moneys in the Exchequer, the Pay-
office, and the Audit Department, have published the
evidence taken before them, but make nu report, in
consequence of the importance and extent of the
subject, the incomplete state of the inquiry, and
the advanced period of the session. The Right
Hon. Sir. F. T. Baring was chairman of the com-
mittee.

The ARCHBISHOP OF CASTERBFRY has issued a com-
mission to the Bishops of Sydney, Melbourne, Ade-
laide, and Newcastle, to proceed with the consecra-
tion of the Venerable Matthew Blagden Hale, prin-
cipal of the institution at Port Lincoln for the edu-
cation of the Australian aborigines, to the bishopric
of Perth, to which he has been nominated by Mr.
LabJuchere, the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A NOTICE was yesterday posted at the Horse
Guards, acquainting the dissatisfied men of the Land
Transport Corps that their claims to pay, return of
income tar, Sc., were in course of settlement at the
head-quarters of the corps, Horfield-barrack, and that
they should communicate with the officers command-
ing their respective battalions who are quartered
there.