Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-01-12


the Interests of the insured and Though
their healthy influence, frauds and spurious
companies, so common in Pennsylvania, are
rendered almost impossible. The greatest
benefits would certainly accrue both to the
company and policy holders, as has already
been demonstrated In the States of New
York and Massachusetts, where the subject
of insurance has received the most careful
study and attention, and been reduced 10 4
science which commands the appreciation
and confidence of all who seek its protection.
The necessity for such a department. with
full powers to organize and examine all il
surance companies, is sanctioned by the
wisdom of experience. And as | have here
tofore remarked the result of the protection
thus aft, rded is, that whilst foreign com
panies do an Immense business in this State,
SO little confidence is had in these of Penn.
sylvania that their business is almost entire
ly confined within the State limits and here
foreign companies maintain an ascendency.
To this same defect is attributable the op-
erations of the number of worthless compa-
nies that have suddenly sprung into exist
cnce without any solid basis, and as srtkienty
expired to the injury Of those whose conf
dence they obtained, and TO the dishonur of
the Commonwealth.
In view otthese facts, I earnestly repeat
the recommendation made to the Legislature
at its last session, that an ins urance depart
ment be established, and u superlnterdeAs
appointed by Law, who shall have supervision
and control over all insurance companies al
lowed to transact business within the State
The community Is deeply Interested in this
matter, and demands legislative protection.
Our laws in relation To life insurance cour-
panies are defective aud need revision and
correction. Without the protection referred
to these laws bear unequaly upon our Own
and foreign companies. The latter, being
protected by Legislative enactment, are en-
abled 10 transact an immense amount OF
business within The limits of this Common
wealth, whist our companies having no
such protection, can do but little III other
States. The consequence is, that foreign
companies can readily afford TO pay Il license
OF five hundred dollars to conduct their ex-
tensive operations In Pennsylvania, whilst
our companies would be sorely oppressed by
the imposition of the same license tax In
States " here their operations are exceeding
ly limited. And yet these other States have
retaliated upon our license law, by adopting
its provisions and demanding from our com
panics the same amount of license in each
State that we 1emand of their companies in
ours. This is not only oppressive TO our
own neglected companies, but 1t fails to fur
uish a just and equitable revenue from the
various companies for the amount OF busi
ness transacted. The tax should be made
to bear equally upon all conn anies, whether
home or foreign, and be adjusted proper
tionately to the extent of their several oper-
atiuns- This arrangement would be just to
all, oppressive to none. The aboli>hment,
therefore, of the license law, and the sub
stitution in its place of reasonable and
equitable tax, would meet the Appreciation
OF all companies, in favor OF equal and ex-
act Justice, whether belonging TO this or any
other State. At the same time it would III
sure a larger income TO the Treasury. Fol
instance, there are thirty seven life insurance
companies from other States doing business
in Pennsylvania. who each pay license OF
five hundred dollars, making the sum OF
eighteen thousand and five hundred dollars.
Not one of these companies would object to
paying an equal tax OF say one halt OF one
per cent. upon the amount OF their business.
This, in the aggregate of the thirty seven
companies. is more than five millions of dol
lars, on which tax of one half OF one per
cent would be twenty-five thousand dollars,
increasing the revenue of the State from
this source more than six thousand dollars,
and at the same time equalizng the tax in
& Will tilS DuslllcsS anu
received An efficient law, establishing au
Insurance Department, such as is recon-
mended, would meet this and all matters
connected with the subject Of insurance, in
all Its branches
THE AVoNDALE DISASTER.
The recent disaster in the Avondale Coal
Mine. in buzerne county,ls still fresh In the
mind, of the people. Il caused 4 thrill OF
l. l,l, IL a
even in Europe it bss been productive Of the
most painful emotions and deepest sorrow
for the sufferers Women and children VINO
had been accustomed to regard the occupa
ton OF the miner as one of ordinary charac
tel, now look upon it as fraught with danger,
and part with relatives and friends when
about to pursue their periious occupation,
with fearful forbodings. And even the sturdy
miner himself, trcinbles az his dangerous
calling. and demands greater protection than
has hitherto been afforded.
The history ofthis terrible calamity seems
to be as follows: Early on the morning OF
the 9th of September last, one hundred and
eight men entered the Avondale Mine to
prosecute tt cir avocation. None of them
anticipated d danger as they descended the
fatal shaft; not one supposed that he was
entering a tomb in which he was doomed to
be buried alive. But the destroying angel
lowered over them, and the shaft, constructed
principally of combustible materials, having
become ignited from some cause, yet unde-
termined, was soon sheet OF flame, and
huge ming timbers came tumbling from
above, choking up with FIRE and smok the
only avenue of escape. Sensible OF their
peril, the unfortunate men sought place of
safety. but it was not found. They cried FOR
succor. but no earthly arm could give them
help hopeless they huddled together. and
clasped in each others arms, met death in
one of its most frightful and agonizipg forms
Wills this fearful scene was tranSpiring
below, the immense wooden structure above
the shaft took FIRE, and burning with fright
full rapidity, wa, soon reduced to a crumbling
mass. Thousands Of men. women and chill
dren soon surrounded the place, and being
unable to afford the slightest relief to their
suffering friends below, filled the air With
lamentations, appalling even to the stoutest
hearts Never before was scene more
heart-rending witnessed within the limits of
this Commonwealth, and it is trusted that
through your prompt and efficient legislative
action. another such will never be permitted
to occur.
The mines in many cases are constructed
and managed in the most selfish and parsi-
monious manner the owners exacting the
largest amount of profit from them, like
L L al