Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-10-23
Condensed Locals.

a collision on the Pittsburg and COnnellsville
railroad near Cumberland, on Friday last
hr. j. n. Saville, chief clerk of the Treasury
Department, has just moved his family into a
fne three-stOry pressed brick front residence on
NJ street, between 18th and 18th streets, y. W.,
for which he pays S14 600.
James, who was in company with Dennis
Dsrden on the night of the Mccarthy homicide,
and Who il Is was reported was killed by the cars
at Alexandria, Is said to be in Petersburg, Va,
at present. The report of his death arose from
the fact that another man of the same name was
injured by the cars at Alexandria.
Mrs. &. It. Limeburner, of Philadelphia, has
been promoted to a clerkship of the tirst-claSs in
the office Of the Fourth Auditor.
| To the Editor of TIE Erenin1 Star:
In the Sunday HeraId of October Sth, there
appeared in the local column this item:
SCRUTISIZISG AssETs."-" The reports of
the Life Insurance Superintendent have been
| printed and distributed, and are being scanned
| with an eagerness and interest never before
manifested. The work, the assets, the reserve
| the expenditures of each company are carefully
| studied and criticised, prompted in most cases
| by direct personal interest.
The question is not whether a company can
pay large dividends, but is il safc?r
In the exhibit referred to it will be noticed
That some OF the companies are reported as
having ''surplas," but AOtc mach surplus is not
stated, while others are set down as showing p
"deheiency,' toih 0mounts aiUea. This Sex
! hibiC' having been published as an ddcertise-
mont, IL does not require n Solomon to discover
that 1t Was inserted in the interests Of some COM
having "surplus," who paid for il. He pro-
poses to judge of the solvency of the companies
by AN arbitrary rule of his own, which he di.-
cards in favor OF several of the interested
| companies, by including as assets, items
which he processes to reject and stating
their liabilities as less than they actually are;
the comparisons are therefore not only unfair but
false. Who is this being that sets himself up as
judge as to the assets and liabilities of life
companies? 1t is impertinent for him in the
face of the certificate given by the commits
sioners of insurance in the different States. 1t
Il mean in him to mutilate the reports so as to
raise doubts in the minds of the insured as to
the provision made in the event of death Does
ne not know that company that is insolvent
would be excluded from doing business in the
State of New York. If he does not knoto it he is
fool, and if he does knoU it, he is knave for
publishing any such exhibit"
We do not propose to discuss the points with
him, but in the item of 'premiums in the hands
OF agents" which he nrodCs out, we make this
single inquiry: Suppose a manufacturing estab-
lishne mt in the East had depots for the delivery
OF goods at remote points, say Washington
Philadelphia, Chicago, &c. On the 1st day of
january, IL taking an account of stock, should
not the goods at these different depOts be entered
as 'stOck on hand? p"
There as not company in the list he aires as
hdr'ng efficiency out that is solrent and has
large surplus.
Again, he gives the capital stock as liability.
Does he not know that the capital stock is not a
cerned?
If he desires to give the public information,
why does he not publish the full reports as
audited and admitted by the insurance superin-
tendents, and on which their certificates are
given, and then let the public determine for
themselves as to "the work, the assets, the re-
serve, and expenditures of each company" We
do not believe any officers of a Life Insurance
Company would have a hand in countenance
the publishing Of any such exhibit" they are
too honorable class of gentlemen: but it is
some poor, miserable, ignorant local solicitor,
who would insult the intelligence of the commu-
nifty by attempting to show that they did not
manifest business judgment when they insured
their lives in the companies having "defi-
ciency."
If the citizens of Washington desire informa-
ton as to the condition of these companies they
can no doubt find the official reports at the
agencies OF said companies, and not have to de-
pend on the "exhibit" of this being with long
ears. FRIEND TO THE Truth.
The FUNERAL of the late Thos. H. Davidson
in officer of the Metropolitan Police, took place
rom his late residence in South Washington
yesterday and was attended by a detachment of
~ policemen, also by Friendship Lodge, No. 8,
and other lodges X. OF p, Washington Lodge
and Mt. Nebo Encampment of Odd Fellows,
friends and relatives followed the remains to
GlenwOOd, where they were inferred with ap-
pTopriate ceremonies. Rev. b. f. Bittinger
Ofhciated.
PURCHASE OF VALUABLE PRoPRRrY-we
understand that large lot of ground on the
southwest corner of 14th and X streets has been
lately purchased by John W. Thompson, Esq.
This Is one of the few remaining valuable vacant
lots of ground in that improving section of the
city, and we doubt not that Mr.. Thompson will,
with his characteristic enterprise, improve it In
some way to make il benefit the community as
well as himself individually. 1t is fine site for
frst-class buildings.
Miss BETTE Z. LYNCH, one OF the teachers of
public schools in the fourth district died at her
late residence, in South Washington, last even
ing, OF scarlet fever in the 2lst year of her age
She was an excellent teacher, and her death is
mourned by her late pupils and co-laborers and
by large circle of friends. The funeral will
take place on Wednesday afternoon at O'clock
The ASSESSMENTS AND THE BOARD OF
APPEALs.-Superintend of assessm ents and
taxes d. A. Hall has so FAR progressed with his
work as TO be able TO turn the tax list to the
Board of Appeals designated by acting Governor
stanton to-day. This board will probably con-
vene to- morrow and sit ten days, in accordance
with the act OF the Legislature.