New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-14
TIE INSURANCE QUESTION.

To he Editor Of The " L. Tribune.
SIR: As know you will never do an unjust act in
entionally and if done without intention will be glad
to apply corrective trouble you with the following
statement
In your paper this morning you publish letter from
Albany denouDcng the proposal to raise the salary of
the Superintendent of the Insurance Department, in
terms which never could have been used by any just
man who knew Mr.. Barnes.
In the first place be il not out Of business,
nor was he ever such. He was lawyer m good prac-
tice who had been heretofore employed to investigate
the atksrs of dubious banks and insurance companies
and In THAI capacity had developed fidelity, hscriuh
nation and aptitude which pointed bin out to all who
familiar with bis previous services as the man OF
all others TO nve us energetic ard incorrshble nd
miuistraion of the Department which was created
mainly TO the people against fraudulent AID IN.
secure insurance. When the Department was created
he was strongly pressed by those who best knew hs
fitness and the public neeessfy, and 10 the honor Of
Governor Morgan he responded 10 the appeal.
No personal consideration entered into the matter,
and such ignobe object the creation of places had
any weight with those who were instrumental toward
the result.
When Mr.. Barnes took the Office, be supposed that
he could still attend to his law bunes as before but
the moment the field wss open before him, be saw bis
mistake. The investigation Of the affairs of 80 COM
panies the adjustment n Just principles regarding kfe
Insurance. and the travel correspondence, and labor
which these imposed demanded more labor by far than
heavy law practice 1nd he was Obliged TO surrender
DIS business 10 tte Necessities OF MS Lew pOhl'lon
Do you think that for man competent to perform
such services at such Of labor BE Of 81 500
is fun compensation II you do, then we come to
another question.
BY the bill erecsng the Insurance Department, it is
provided that by adequate taxes upon themselves, TO
be paid into the State Treasury the insurance eompd
ME, shall pay al the expenses Of the Department, ~
that il shall never cost the State ID cent
Under these circumstances tie insurance COM
panies represented by the officers Of the oldert largest
and most influential companies 10 the three depart
ments Of FIRE, marine and life insurance, come for
ward and ask the State TO raise the salary Of the SUI
perintendent TO what they think fair compensation
the that of the Bank Superintendent, taxing
the companies for the increase MY question IL, do
you not think this reasonable proportion And
further, ia not fair supposhion that the companies
taking this ground actuated by proper motives,
and that they know st least much about the value
Of Mr.. Barnes's services and the exgencies Of the
business as your Albany correspondent
Depend upon it, Sir, no one has reason to
complain in this except those who ask the
privilege Of bearing the additional burden imposed
and among them the universal feeling is that just
industrious, and impartial supervision Of insurance
such we now enjoy, 10 chesply paid for at any
price. SECRETARY.
kets- York Feb H. 1861.