The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1870-01-13

ment similar to those existing in other
States. But the legislature has thus far
failed to give the snhject that consideration
which interests Of such magnitude TO the
people seem to demand Insurance depart
me3ts ia some OF the States are regarded of
paramount importance, as they etfectusly
guard the interests Of the insured, and
through their healthy influence frauds and
spurious companies, 50 common in Penneyl
yania, are rendered almost impossible. The
greatest benefits would certainly accrue both
to the com panies and policy holders as has
alIead, been demonstrated in the States Of
New Yofk and Massachusetts, where the
subject of insurance has received the most
careful study and attention, aud been re-
duced TO a science which commands the ap-
probation aud confidence Of all who seek Its
protection The necessity for such a de-
partment. with full powers TO organize and
examine all insurance companies, is sane
toned by the wisdom Of experience. And
as | have heretofore remarked, the result of
the protection thus afforded, i, that whilst
foreign companies do immense business in
this State, so little confidence Is had IN those
OF Pennsylvania that their business i almost
entirely confined within the State limits
and even here foreign companies maintain
an 1eAEDuGtiC3. 10 Gi4's sdtIE uctEEt u III
tributable the operations Of the number Of
worthless companies that have suddenly
sprung into existence without any sold ba-
sis, and as suddenly expired to the injury Of
those whose c0ptid nee they obtained and
to The dishonor Of the Commonwealth.
In view Of these facts. | earnestly repeat
the Recommendation made to the Lepisla-
fnre at Its last session, that au insura nee de
Il l.t9abaS nd Frfn
deut appointed by law. who shall have su-
pervision and control over all insurance com
ranies allowed TO transact business within
the State. The community Is deeply inter
ested in this matter, and demands legislative
protection
Oar laws in relation TO life insurance COM
pauies are defective and need revision aud
correction Without the protection referred
to these laws bear uuequally upon our own
aud foreign companies The latter, being
protected by legislative enactment, are tn
abled to transact an immense amount Of
business within the limits OF this Common
wealth whilst our companies, having no
such protection. can do but little in other
States. Tie consequence Is, that foreign
COMP laDies can readily afford to pay a IL
cense of IRE hundred dollars to Conduct
their extensive operations in Pennsylvania,
whilst our companies would be s0rely op-
pressed by toe imposition Of the same H.
cense tax in States akere their operations
are exceedingly limited And yet these
other Stares have ret3iia;ed upon oHr license
law. by adopting It's provisions and demand
iug rom our companies the same amount of
licsnse in each State that We demand Of
their companies in ours. This Is not only
oppressive 70 our own neglected companies,
bot it falls Ia fu ni>h Just and equitable
revenue ffom the various companies fer the
amount of business transacted. The tax
should be made to bear equally upon all
companies, whether home or foreign, and
be adjusted propor,ioUa.ely TO the extent of
their several operations. This arrangement
would be ju,tto all-oFpressiye TO none. The
siOhshuenf. therefore. of the license law,
aud the substitution IN It's place Of "a reason
able and equitable tax, would meet the ap-
probation Of ali com panies, In favor of feQnal
aud exact justice. whe her belonging 10 this
or aBy UJIieF stare. AT the same lime IL
would insure larger income to the Ireasu-
~ For instance, there are H,Ttg-Sere7t lie
insurance companies from other States do
Ing business 10 Pennsylvania. who each pas
license Of FIVE hundred dollars, making the
Sum Of eighteen thousand aud five hundred
dollars. Not one of the companies would
object 10 paying an equal tax OF say one halt
OF one per cent upon tie amount Of Their
business This, IN the acgre gate OF the
thiuy-seyen companies, Is more than i've
millions Of dollars, on which tax OF o8e
bali of one per cent would be twenty five
thousand dollars increasing the revenue o.
the SAFE from this source more than SIX.
thousand dollars, and at the same time
equahziBg the tax 10 accordance with the
business done and profits received. An eff
cient law, establishing sn Insurance DeFaIt-
ment. such as is recommended, would meet
thus and all matters connected with the sub
iect of Insurance, IN all lis branches
The Arondale LisaSter.
The recent disaster in the Ay0ndale Coal
Mine, LuzeFue county, Is stjll fresh in the
minds Of the people. 1t caused a thrill OF
horror 10 seread throughout the country
ana even in Europe it has been Productive
of the most painful emotions and deepest
sorrow for the sufferers. Women aud chill
dien who had been accustomed to regard
the occupation of the niUer as ore of ordi-
nary character. now look upon it as fraught
with danger, and part with relatives and
friends. when about to pur-ue their periious
oceupati9n with fearful forebodings. And
even the sturdy miner. himstlt, trem6les at
his dangerous calling, and demands gree Ct
protection than has bi,herto been afford, i.
The history Of this terrible calamity seems
to be a. follows: Early on the morning of
the 9th of September last, one hundred and
eight men entered the Avoodsle Mine to
pFosecut their avoca;ion None OF them
anticipated danger as they descended the
fatal slait; not one supposed that be was
entering tomb in which he was doomed to
be buried alive. But the destroying angei
lowered over them, aud tie shaft, construct
ed principally Of combu>tibe c materials, av-
ing become ignitei from some cause. yet
undetermined, was soon a sheet Of flame.
aud huge burning timbers came tumb!ipg
from above, choking up with fire and smoke
The only enue Of escape. Sensible Of their
peril, the unfortunate men sought a place
| Of "a ely. bGt il was not 10 be found. They
! erred tar Succor but nc earthly arm could
give them help; hopeless they hudditd 20
gether, and clasped in each others arms,
met death iu one Of its most frightfal aud
aeonizing forms,
! Whilst this fearful scene was tTanSFiriDg
I below the immense wooden structure above
i the shaft took fire, and burning with fright
/ full rapi1ity, was soon reduced to cTumb
/ ling mass. Thousands of men, women aud
4 children soon surrounded the place, aud
4 being unsble to afford the slightest relief to
i their suffering iiiends below, filed the air
/ with amentaton, appalling even 10 the
/ stoutest hearts Never before was a scene
/ more he4r; rendering witnessed within the
/ limits of this Commonwealth, and it Is trust
t ed thai through your prompt and Efficient
! legislative action, another such VIII never BE-
permitted to occur
The mines ia many cases are constructed
/ and managed in the most selfish and pars-
monious manner, the owGsars exacting the
/ largest amount Of profit from them, from
] the least possible outlay: consequently some
/ of them, ike that of Avondale, are nothing