Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-01-19
=. HOME INSURANCE.


More than once, and by different persons
whose ideas may be regarded as practical, has
the suggestion been made of the propriety of
orpanizipg a Home Insurance Company for
inc County of Jefferson. Some of the figures
submitted to us, would seem to make the sug-
pestion feasible one, and we see no reason
why it might not be carried into practical
effect and operation. All that is needed, to
our mind, is the hearty co operation of those
interested and who would doubtless be profted
by tho existence of such an institution in our
midst.
As means of security against the con-
tiugcncies of fire, either by accident or in
cendiarism, every prudent man feels and
readily acknowledges the Importance of having.
a policy from some reliable company; and
whilst the tendency has heretofore been to
insure in companies at distance, of whose
solvcncy we cannot always be convinced, it is
because we have had nothing of the kind
among our own people upon which to rely, or
in which to invest.
Within the past three years, the losses by
ere in this county would hardly exceed ten
thousand dollars, all told. Within that time,
not one single fire has occurred in Charestown,
and none Of any consequence in our sister
towns Of the county. That We shall continue
to enjoy such exemption, is scarcely to be
expected but if such should be our good
fortune, we know not why the profits arising
ha EanS NJ nd
distributed among our people, instead of being
sent abroad to enrich corporations that have
no sympathy with US, and which, instead Of
spending money in our community, for the
enhancement of its wealth, are continually
drawing it from US, to build up and improve
other localities. We have not the data at
hand upon which to base calculation, but
we think we are within bounds when we say
that every year since the war, there has been
more money sent out of tke-county for insu-
rance, than would cover tie entire loss by fire
within the past four years. We are not COM
planning with our people for insuring5 nor do
we complain of the companies that have taken
risks here, but we want to present to our peo-
pie common sense view of the amount of
money that is sent out from US, never to re-
turn, and which, by judicious management
might be kept at home.
A little over year ago, we had no Bull
ding Association-now we have one that
boasts of almost unexampled prosperity. Six
months before this association was started,
suggestion thrown out in this paper for the
organization ofsuch an institution was derided,
but when the advantages of the thing were
weighed, the association was formed, and we
have the result-not only in the profits of the
association, but in the benefits that it has
already, and is yet destined, to confer upon
the community.
That we'll organized and judiciously man.
aged insurance company, would be quite as
successful, We entertain not the shadow of
doubt. Our people may be slow to move in
matters Of this kind, but once make it apparent
that their own interests are involved, and they
are as ready to engage in home enterprises as
are the inhabitants Of any other community.
We have written this to awaken interest
and inquiry on the subject; and we will thank
any of our practical men for taking hold of
the matter and putting it in such form as will
give the people clear understanding of the
advantages to be derived from availing them
selves of the crude suggestions here thrown
out