The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-11-23
FIRE INSURANCE.
Its EaT|y History and Great In
portance'
TO J~-L--tI- oh
The odd Hartford" and it's
Management.
A Visit to the Home Office, and
What we Learned There.
A Sound and Reliable Insurance Com.
pany-A Good One to Patronize
A Sound and Reliable Insurance Com
pany-A Good One to Patronize
Its Financial Condition.


From the Chesgo Republican.
FIRE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TO THE PUBLIC.
Fire insurance succeeded marine IN point Of
time, though both were practiced some centuries
ago--the latter as early as the tenth. But, be
this as it may it has become matter of vital
interest in eur day and as it involves the for
tunes of thousands, it is a subject demanding the
attention of every thinking ind intelligent man,
henc. we give space to a consideration Of it in
thu issue Of our paper. 1t demands the at.en-
ton of the press since, under cover Ut this wise
and provident source of indemnity, many I'M
principled men have swindled the pablic-taking
advantage Of that desire of every prudent and
thoughtful man TO make secure % himself and
those dependent upon the me,ns he may have
necessary for their comfort and support. So
many companies have arisen and failed when the
hour of trial came, that the attention Of the pub
lie is directed TO this mater, and careful ex-
animation Of the condition Of such seek
patronage INDEPENDENTLY OF such seem
TO be doing wild ard reckless business on little
or no real and substantial capital neither money
nor integrity TIE evil has long been regarded
as a growing one in every section of the country,
and has enlisted the earnest attention of our Leg
i.lature. Laws have been enacted, stringent
enough, il would seem, 10 counteract she evil.
but. though they have had a beneficial tendency.
wavs asd means have been found by unprinci-
pied :aen 10 evade even the most stringent pro
visions, and will continue in great degree i'm
adequate 10 the correction Of the evil, 80 long
there is so much carelessness and indifference on
the part of those seeking insurance - ~ the
condition of companies asking their patronage.
Fancy insurance, like lotteries, fancy banking,
and score OF kindred swindles, will thrive and
continue 10 lee the order Of the day Just 70 long
as men can be found who will permit themselves
70 be swindled and duped rather than exercise
the necessary precantion- Speculative COM
panies, based upon no real capital and wholly
uncalled tor by the wants Of the country, have
been launched into existence with alarming
rapidity during the past few years. and urged
their claims upon public patronage with such
unblushing audacity as to deceive for time even
the moro wary and circumspect Of our business
men, Serious apprehension has existed on the
part Of the better informed lest these nefaSious
operations should bring the whole business Of
insurance, 20 bene6cent in its character when
properly managed, into discredit and disreputs,
and deter large portion of the community ffom
availiag themselves Of the advantages Of the ga
eral system: But we repeat, these schemes Of
plumber viii be.carried on, aud mere imaginary
policies of indemnity pslmed of on the public =
long as property-owners remain so7iAdihsrsnt =
10 the matter Of investigating ths responsibility
of companies. Frequently nothought Il bsstow.
ed upon the soundnsss Of the company or the
character Of its officers, while the same mes, 70
careless in this matter. will scrutinixs We ssssv
ties offered for loan Of tsnth part Of The
amount they virtually trust TO single Insurance.
company every year without anxious thought
and will examine with the greatest care and
minutensss the applicant for credit, svailiag
themselves Of every source Of information at
haad TO ascertain his character and peeuniasy
ability before granting it; but the grasslsss sst
OF adventursrs in the insurance business will
thrive upon their credulity. A COMPANY
really worthy Of confidence osa costly show .
test of resources bearing intrinsic and unnistak.
able evidence OF truth. No reliable company will
refuse proper scrutiny Of ito aAsira but will
invite it. Withhold patronage from unworthy
companies and they will die ont for want Of
Victims.
IMPORTANCE AND EARLY HISTORY.
Tits impossible 70 estimate too highly the value
and Importance Of insurance a. means Of indcm.
nifty against damage or loss, and the benefits con.
ferred upon mankind by the system. Whether
we consider it in its original character - pro-
lection to tho merchant who adventured his
property on the bosom Of the treacherous deep,
against its many perls, or, in its more modern
application, ~ guarantee against loss by fire,
and its further interesting adaptation to the as-
surfing of life, it is subject that interests the
man Of business, tho benevolent, the philanthropic
and, in short, all c'asses. When We call to mind
the devastations and distress caused by fire in
all ages preceding the introduction of insurance,
it appears extraordinary that some means were
not adopted at an earlier period to render such
calamities less ruinous to individuals, particu.
larly when plan, which appears to have event.
ually been adopted as the basis Of fire insurance
companies essentially the same as the present