The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-01-17
PRICE FIVE CENTS.

Q cure TO Others the same privileges and
opportunities for competition. 1t will
l open new avenues to distant markets
! improve the va ne of property: give
, new impulse to immigration; put adj
ditional lands under cultivation stim-
ulate trade, agriculture, manufactures
and mechanic arts to increased energy;
furnish greater inducements and facili-
ties for travel and add to our general
: prosperity. Other States have tried the
experiment with satisfactory results,
and there is no reason why Pennsylva-
mia should be laggard in thegrand march
OF progress and improvement.
Nextto the importance of creating ad-
ditional railroads on the free principle
is the reduction of charges for passage
and freight to minimum rates. This
Is matter that conceEns every in
dividual. Transportation will increase
In quantity in proportion 60 the reduc-
ton of its cost, and as the facilities in
crease and the cost decrease the more
vigorous will be the development of our
industrial resources. Railroads wilde
rive more benefit from low than from
eXorbitant charges. The increase of
travel and freight will be vastly greater
han the increase of expense. The
transportation of loaded car costs but
little more than one that is empty. In
the matter of passengers alone il is
reasonable to suppose, that the lower the
rates of fare, the greater will be the
number of persons to avail themselves
OF the privilege of railroad transporta-
ton. The same is true in regard to
freight for the engine thatdrawsa half
dozen cars, can with nearly equal ia
cility propel a larger number. More
over, the road that Is worked to its ut
most capacity must necessarily, at very
reduced rates, acquire greater pro-
fits than one that transacts but
small portion of the business for which
ii is competent. The adoption of sys.
tenn of uniform rates for passengers and
freight, so graduated as to be profitable
to all Immediately interested in the use
amt conduct of such works, would be
productive of decided benefit in lessen
ing the prices of food, clothing, fuel,
and all the necessaries of life, to every
citizen of the Commonwealth.
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
My attention has been called to the
subject of insurance, and so important
does it appear, that deem it worthy of
legislative considera ton. Many millions
of dollars are now involved, in the Uni
ted States, in insurance, and the amount
is being rapidly increased. Toguard the
interests of insurers, our laws are inad-
adequate, and therefore need thorough
revision. Laws have been established
in several of our sister States, and so
successful have been their operations
that the insurance companies acting I'M
der them command a respect and con-
fidence which is not extended to those
of Pennsylvania. Whilst large portion
of the insurance business of New York
is done in this State, some of our COM
+ panies have recently abolished their
, agencies in New York, BECAUSE as they
, say, no one there will insure in a Penn
: SylVania company, in consequence of
{ the laxity of our insurance laws. The
policies of many organizations, under
| our present laws, are alleged to be
V worthless;and although they are contin-
q ually failing, others of similar char
acter are starting into eXistance. With
!, in few months five fire insurance
n companies have failed, one .of which
Il had issued policies to over one million
II of dollars, and other serious defalcations
Il are of frequent occurrence.
~ In view of these facts and the costly
y. experience ofthe people, l would rec
# ommend the establishment of an Insu-
~ rrnce Department, similar to those in
a New York and Massachusetts, that shall
y have supervision and control over all
n companies allowed to transact business
, within this State. Such enactment is
:. required for the security of our citizens.
% Millions fdollars are paid out by them
If annually for insurance--much of 1t un-
70 impossible for private Individual to
i know whether the company to which
~ he pays is or is not reliable. Careful
n supervision on by superintendent ap-
- pointed by law ,and published reports OF
= the same under oath, would prevent
~ much loss and fraud
" The security of the companies them
q selves require an Insurance Department.
~ The people demand protection from ig-
: norance, fraud, and insolvency. Con-
y sulting the insurance journals, we find
~ that As general thing, Pennsylvania
m insurance companies are acquiring an
n. unenvitable reputation abroad affecting
the honor and good name of the State.
The great purpose Of the proposed de-
partment, should be protection. But in
O. connection with it there must be fees
o. sufficient to cover all its legitimate ex-
of penses and prevent it from becoming a
IN hurthen to the Commonwealth.
II, GAS.
= Complaints have been laid before M
~ by the consumers of gas in our large
M cities, and from "a sense of duty and re-
,st Spect to them | lay the matter before
of you. 1t is stated that they have no APP
m peal or satisfactory mode of redress for
th alleged impo1itions of the gas compa-
w. nies. To what extent these complaints
~ are just il would be difficult to ascertain
ho but that there is cause for some of them
NV may properly be inferred from thenum
NJ ber, intelligence and respectability, o.
,s- the parties by whom they are made
N. There is no reason why such state o
Of things should continue to exist, willis
rn the people, through their representa-
on tiVes, have an easy and effectual RENE
ed ed dy.
.La The Legislature of neighborin,
ar State has created the office of Inspecto
gFf Il A IA t..l,4 /,
enacted creating similar position il
any city in which it may be required il
this State, and such arrangements mad
I'VE as would ensure justice to consumer
i've and producers without being an expens
ich to the State.
OIL STATUES FOR THB CAPITOL AT VASE
ns INGTON.
de- Accompanying this will be found
to circular from numerous members of tn
ed. Senate and House of Representatives
has the United States relative TO an act
ap- Congress passed July ., 1864, invitin
ere leach and all of the States to provid
ned and furnish statues, in marble or bron2
for not exceeding two in number for eac
lat- State, of deceased persons who hsy
oy- been citizens thereof, and illustrious fC
all their historic renoWn, or from distir
Md guished civil or military services, sue
her as each State shall determine to be wo
Ihe thy OF this national commemoration.
owe The intention is to place the statue
de- when furnished, in the old hall of tn
cti- House Of Representatives, in the Cap
cry tol OF the Ihileu states, when Is 81
and apart as Il hall of national statusry fC
, of that purpose. Other States will doub
hat less avail themselves of this privileg
gri- and Pennsylvania should not be benin
d to them in thus commemorating the men
per- Dry of her distinguished dead.
rt,