Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-10-04
LEE tNsrRANCE.


The New York Tribune contains the
following sensible remarks on life insu-
rance. We are doing our readers a ser
vice in directing their attention to it:
We believe it to be strictly true that
the business Of life insurance could be
increased twenty fold by using the right
means Of attracting the public. The
benefits conferred by the system are too
little known, and yet they are as impor-
tant as they are various. y policy OF
insurance is at once an investment at q
high rate OF Interest and an available
security in may transactions. 1t
represents q sum Of money, real
liable in case of the insured Party's
death, often larger than could he aeeu-
mulsted by the savings Of many years,
and certainly larger than the premiums
would aggregate if simply placed out at
even compound interest. II the death be
premature the amount is payable at
once, and the outlay TO secure it may be
very trihing. The man who has pro
vided against the contingency Of his
early decease has done q simple act OF
prudence and justice which will be q
source Of mental comfort TO himself and
regarded by his family as proof OF his
wise affection for them. Should
be desire a provision for his old age, he
can, by 8 plan common with many COM
panies, enter upon an annual income at
q specified date, il he mskes an annual
payment up to that time. Should he
wish an endowment for his daughters,
be can avail himself Of s method where
by such endowment will become due.
In short, there are, ia the very numerous
and valuable developments Of life insu-
rance, safeguards against disaster to
children and widows, and means by
which many benefits can be realized
even during the life of the insured.
OF the manner in which the great
truths and benefits Of insurance shall be
best made known, much may be said.
There are many agents, but how are
they selected, and how many OF them
are Jealous in the representation OF their
principals? ? There are prospeetuses, but
how much ability do they display IN set
ting forth reasons for insuring and the
dangers of neglecting it, There is
some advertising, bat how much
of it is striking and effective
And then the theory Of insurance
is unfamiliar to large proportion OF so
ciety. 1t ia not seen that 8 thousand
men may combine TO pay a small sum
yearly, or at shorter periods, toward 9
| fund ont of which the survivors Of each
member may st his death be paid GER
tain fixed sum; nor that the number who
will die is fixed by the law Of averages
so that a strict calculation can be made II
the nasis of the calculation be lArge
enough. Many people who now regard
an insurance company as they WoHld q
merely speculative corporation, which
NAV deceive them ar fail, would, il they
. knew how certain the results of Insurance
are, and that there is no speculation
in it, have the faith which would attract
them TO its doors. This popular education
may be extended very much, and should
be. We should like to see balance sheets
with statements plain and easily fol
lowed, aud that companies endeayoT tc
gain customers by Offering TO the public
some training by which their soundness
msy be proved, and their liberslity ex'
planned.