Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-10-05
LIFE INSURANCE ON THE COOPERATIVE



We yesterday published q report OF the pro-
ceedings OF the meeting held in this city on
wednesday evening to organize what is called
Beneficial Life Insurance Association. 50 Tar
as Ills proposed TO reduce the expenses oftbe as
sociation 10 minimum, and 10 have the bulk OF
the proceeds go 10 the benefit OF the families OF
deceased members, instead OF large portion
going as salaries TO officers, and dividends to
stockholders, and others OF "the favored few.
as In most companies, the plan is good one
An association with these its general fea-
lures, and with certain necessary limitations
so hat it may not bear hardly on partic ular
members is practicable, and there is no reason
why it should not be successful But if it is
proposed 10 allow all persons-the old and tn.
young, the weak and the strong-to become
members, the scheme is partial aad unjust
The halt, the lame, and the blind those en-.
teebled by age, or weakened by illness, would
seek to avail themselves OF Its benefits in such
numbers that younger and stronger men would
be deferred from joining. There should be q
graduation OF fees according to age and health.
Age is generally easily ascertained-it leaves
unerrlng marks-but as to disc ease, a medical
examination is necessary to determine it's
character and extent. We know OF MANY
instances where men, apparently In ROBUST
health. have been found, on examination, to
other organ, likely to result in death in a short
time. Without some Discrimination, the asso
citation might De composed mainly of the aged
and infrm: and the strong working man, of
yolth or middle age, with a large family
dependent on him would have the notices Of
dues come SO frequently as to make it a burden
too heavy for MIN, and in case OF sickness or
want of work, causing default Of the payment
OF one dollar, after contributing hundreds
perhaps, he would be cut off from all
benefits, Just at the time when he
most needed assurance OF having his
family provided fer in case of death
The only qualification for member in the
proposed plan is that he or she shall be cen.
Joying ordinary health" The question arises,
what is s.ordinary health" and who is to deter
mine If an applicant is enJoyingit. Another
unfair feature is to cut OF suicides ana mur-
dered men from benefits. Why should this be
so! Life insurance companies have long ago
abandoned this feature, because the chances
are all against mans committing suicide to
benefit his family. We do not remember any
sueh case OF immolation; though pretended
self~sacr1hce is quite common. With the
graduation OF payments we have suggested;
provision for medical examination; 10 ex-
clusion OF a suicides or mu rdered mans fami
ly from the benefits; and n on forfeiture of ali
Dement'S Ior failure TO pay, the association
might be successful II a wor king man is SO
unfortunate as 10 be without the means of pay.
ing his cues, after doing SO faithfully while
able, there is certainly not much s.beneyo
lence" in cutting him and his IA mily off alto
gether. Let him have some ass urance that the
savings from his little earnings so hardly won
will not be sacrificed IN vain, if sickness or
misfortune overtakes him. Let him In any
event have his proportionate share of benefits,
even If II is much less than be would be en-
titled TO II he had continued to "pay up