The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-04-21
New York Notes.
BY our own Correspondent

Most of us Gothamites were wofully disap-
poin ted that the census did not give us over
million of inhabitants. and disnosed at first
TO think that our Uncle's enumcrators had
missed some figures somewhere. But we
have pretty much settled down into the be-
lief that the folks were not at home-that
the million, like the millionaire, has not
come vet And we see one of the chief rea-
sons why not. We have no adequate facli-
ties for rapid and comfortable transit to the
upper end of the island, and so the popula-
ton of all the neighboring cities and villages
grows out of proportion to ours. The remedy
is some sort of road on the earth, or
above it or under it, that will transport us
and our wives and children rapidly and well.
Various are the projects. little bit of a
pneumatic tunnel, which propo es to blow us
IN town, if only the leave of the Legislature
can be got, has already been constructed, and
is on exhibition; but as yet its builders have
the right to carry freight only. 1t is by no
means certain that such mole-like mode
would satisfy the public, if the right to at
tempt carrying passengers could be obtained.
| There is also the very melancholy elevated
railroad in Greenwich street and Seventh
avenue, upon which steam dummy has
lately been placed, and from which the pro-
meters expect a great deal. But it has not
begun to run yet. and it is very doubtful
whether people will extensively patronize
that way of getting high. Another plan
proposes an elevated tunnel, supported on
iron columns and arches, the ears to be pro-
PEELED by air; but we fear its projectors Will
not be able to raise the wind necessary. The
proposal which looks most feasible, however,
and which is most likely to be carried out
successfully to practical result, is that the
city shall build the much needed road.
Many people believe that to provide such
necessary convenicnces for the use of
the citizens is work prominently appro-
pirate to be done by the city, and they point
to the Croton Water Works and Central Park
as examples of the advantages to be derived
from such improvements so done. 1t is GER
tain that several liberal charters have been
granted TO private persons. many of our most
solid citizens among them, but of all nothing
has resulted: while no one doubts that if the
city should undertake the thing, it would be
done, and probably we'll done. And ait
were well 'twere done quickly"
Our new post office will be well done, no
doubt, but it won't be done quickly, if the
past is any criterion for the future. The
world moves, and so does the building. II
is shame that this great metropolis should
be compelled to use for its post office a thing
of shreds and patches so utterly unsuitable
as its present burrow; but we shall have to
endure it, with only the encouragement that
worthy, whenever it is completed
We have lately been a good deal agitated
on the question of the stability of our life in
surance companies. Our confidence has re-
ceived a rude shock by the failure of two
companies which have lately been wound
up by our vigiant Superintendent In the
case of the Great Western there is no charge
of dishonesty, but the assets were not what
they appeared to be, and could not be col
| tnI Tla 10 t.a
the risks, or, as it is called, the reserve, was
not there only the shadow Of it remained.
Thousands Of persons, whose families de-
pend upon the solvency of life insurance
companies for protection in the event of the
death of the breadwinner, are anXiously
asking how far this weakness extends, If
two companies fail, why may not others? If
the Great Western, which had a nominally
sufficient reserve, proved not really to have
! 1T, how are we to be sure that any company
has what it Processes TO have? This is a fair
question: and entitled to a fair answer. Hap
PLY there is way in which il can be salts
tactorily answered. The system of State de-
posit and State registration fully meets this
question, and removes all doubts. Other
panies may be, and doubtless many are,
safe and sound, but a registration company
must be. WhyP Because they deposit with
the Insurance Department at Albany, the
entire sum necessary to meet their liabili-
ties to their policy holders; that is, the
amount necessary to insure their risks, or
the reserve" This reserve" is calculat-
ed by the Department according to the law
which was originally passed at the sugges-
ton of Mr.. n. ID. Morgan, President of the
North American Life Insurance Co., To
whose sagacity and love OF justice we owe
the Registration System, and the deposit To
meet 1T can only be made in bonds and
mortgages, and State and United States
stocks, the former of which must be ap.