Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-01-17

command a respect and confidence which 4
not extended to those of Pennsylvania.
Whilst a large portion of the insurance bu-
siuess Of New York is done in this State,
some of our companies have recently abol-
ished their agencies in New York, because,
as they say, no one there viii insure In q
| Pennsylvania company, in consequence q
| the laxity of our insurance laws The polls
| eies of many organizations, under our pres
| ent laws. are alleged to be worthless and
although they are continually failing, others
| Of similar character are starting into exist
| euce. Within few months five fire lnsuT-
| ance companies have failed, one of which
had issued policies to over one million Of
| dollars, and other serious defectlons are OF
| FREQUENT occurrence.
| In view of these facts and the costly ex-
perienee of the people, | would recommend
/ the establishment of an Insurance Depart
ment, similar to those in New York and
Massachusetts, that shall have supervision
and control over all companies allowed to
transact business within this State. Such
enactmentis required for the security Of our
citizens. Millions of dollars are paid out
by them annually for insurance-much OF 1t
under such circumstances as TO render II
impossible for private Individual to know
whether the company to which he pays is,
or is not reliable Careful supervision, by a
superintendent appointed by law, and pub
lished reports Of the same, under oath,
would prevent much loss and fraud.
The security of the companies themselves
require an Insurance Department. The
people demand protection from ignorance.
fraud and insolvency. Consulting the in-
suranee Journals, we find that as general
thing, Pennsylvania insurance companies
are acquiring an unenviable reputation
abroad, affecting the honor and good name
of the State The great purpose of the
proposed department, should be protection.
But in connection with it there must be fees
sufficient to cover all its legitimate expenses
and prevent its becoming burthen to the
Commonwealth.
GAS.
Complaints have been laid before me by
the consumers of gas in our large cities, and
from sense OF duty and respect to them lay
the matter before you. 1t is stated that they
have no appeal or satisfactory mode Of re.
dress for alleged impositions of the gas com
panies. To what extent these complaints are
just it would be difficult to ascertain, but that
there is cause for some of them may pr per-
ly be inferred from the number, intelligence
and respectability of the parties by whom they
are made. There is no reason why such
state of things should continue to exist, whilst
the people, through their representatives,
have an easy and effectual remedy.
The Legislature of neighboring State has
created the Office of Inspector of gas and gas
metres. A bill might be enacted creating
similar position in any city in which it may
be required in this State, and such arrange
ments made as would ensure Justice to CON
sumers and producers without being an ex-
pense to the State.
STATUES FOR THE CAPITOL AT WASHINGTON.
Accompanying this viii be found circular
from numerous members Of the Senate and
House of Represents tives ofthe United States
relative to an act Of Congress, passed July 2,
1864, inviting ''each and all of the States to
provide and furnish statues, in marble or
bronze, not exceeding two in number for
each State, of ofdeceased persons who have been
citizens thereof, and illnstrious for their his
toric renown, or from distinguished civil or
military services, such as each State shall
determine to be worthy of this national com
memoration" The intention is to place the
statues, when furnished, in the old hall ofthe
House of Representatives, in the Capitol of
the United States, which is set apart as a hall
OF national statuary, for that purpose. Other
States viii doubtless avail themselves of this
privilege, and Pennsylvania should not be be-
hind them in thus commemorating the mem
ory of her distinguished dead.
PARIS EXHIBITION.
That Pennsylvania might be officially rep
resented in the "Model American School
House, at the "Universal Exposition OF all
Nations, / caused 10 be forwarded TO the
American Commissioner at Paris, in July
last, box containing a large number Of
books and documents relative to the various
departments of the Commonwealth, with a
request that they be placed in a prominent
position, that visitors from distant lands might
have opportunity to obtain from their pages
a correct idea OF the progress and importance
of the State. In acknowledging the receipt
of this package the Commissioner states that
its contents were disposed Of as requested.
And we are assured that the representation
Of the extent, characteristics, resources, pro-
gress and privileges Of our country as made
in the "Farmer's Home, and ''Eree Com
mon School House," attracted crowds of Gu
rious and interested visitors, and would scat
ter wide and permanently, in distinct form,
the doctrines Of our Republic, and 'result in
rich return to the United States for the out
lay, and higher appreciation, among the
people OF Europe, of the statutes and institu-
tons OF this land offreedom and equality"
POLICE FOR THE MINING DISTRICTS.
In conformity to an act Of Assembly "for
the better protection of person, property and
life in the mining regions of this Common
wealth" approved April -, 1867, and on
the earnest appeal of many citizens, l ap-
pointed, Immediately after that date, a mar
shal of police and number of subordinates,
to give protection to the inhabitants of Schuyl.
kill and Northumberland counties In these
counties, for a long time previous, crimes of
helnous character were of frequent occur
occurrence. Combinations of desperate men
were formed TO overawe the proprietors and
superintendents of the mines, and to control
their management. Citizens were murdered
in their dwellings and on the roads; others
intImldated by threats, were driven from the
counties; and feeling of insecurity and ter
ror very generally prevailed. The admins
traitors OF the law seemed powerless to sup
press these outrages, or bring the guilty to
punishment. Since the appointment of the
new police force a remarkable change has
taken place. All lawless combinations have
been dispersed, the persons composing them
having chiefly fed ; not a single murder or
atrocious crime is known TO have been com
mltted; an immense amount of capital that
had been Withdrawn has returned; and the
people enjoy the assurance of safety and pro-
lection. A similar state of affairs to that
which existed in the counties named is said
to prevail IN some parts of the oil regions
and applications have been made for the hen.
eht OF the above named act. Itis, therefore.
recommended that its provisions be extend.
ed to those, or to any other counties, upon
the petition of a sufi cient number of citizens.
who shall furnish good reasons for desirin z
their benefits.
WEIGHTS, MEASURES, &c.