The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-05
THE INSURANCE INQUIRY.
INTERESTING TESTIMONY YESTERDAY.
How the Mutual Life Company Supported Bill
At Albany-The Tell-Tale Stub Check
Money at Last Traced to the superin-
tendent-George W. Hopes View
Of the Investigation.


The first witness called was Henry A. Freeman
who said ne had been twenty-seven years 10 the
business and IS now President OF the Globe Mutual
the Miller testimonial was presented to him by
Messrs McCurdy and Dewitt, ana he declined 10
sign II; as far as our company was concerned II
was correct, but felt our company had not been
properly treated, and II had signed IL 1t would
be untrue; our sworn statement was made out and
sent IN to the department; were not informed OF
discrepancy until we In tho report al alleged
impairment; 1t was an error OF the department.,
and not the company, as afterwards was dlscovered
one item OF 100000 was found against the company
In the footing; they promised to recty their error
but they did NOT DO It until later when our actuary
went to Albany and got a certificate, but 1t only
corrected the errors in part; the INJURY had gone
all over the country; In many places they did not
receive the correction.
Mr.. Barnes here asked the opinion OF witness as
to the propriety OF closing up the Great Western Life
when Mr.. Miller objected TO 70 into the matter, az
the Courts had passed upon 1t and the corpse was
dead ana buried. Upon the subject eloquent
speeches were made by the rival Superinten dents
that created much amusement on the part OF the
spectators Mr. Miller, however, declared his read.
ness to 60 into 1t, ana only regretted that be had
not wound up more rotten companies.
Witness, In answer to MIR. Miller said The error
were other errors amounting to $4,000, or $40 600
against the company; had no corresp ondenoe per-
sOnally with you.
Henry Grimm sworn-I am assessment secretary
OF the Westchesrer County Fire Company Just alter
our examination l saw Mr. Eldrldge IN our city
Office; he was there about fifteen minutes, chatting
this was in May, | think Of last year; never paid
money 10 Mr.. Eldridge nor drew check for him.
David Rowland, counsel OIL the Hope Mutual Life
sworn-l have looked at the bill furnished by me to
tine Hope Mutual Life, as testified by Mr.. Jones; I
company check was drawn to my orSer by
the company; drew the money ana paid IL TO MIN
l told him That was the amount thought he was
entitled TO; he seemed to be surprised that
II was so large; the second item Is, 'TO George W.
Miller, to AID III the passage or the bnl S5O0' that
Is not my pnraseology Mr.. Jones stated that ne
wanted an estimate Of my expenses anu charges In
Albany; laid 1t on his desk; he said later that he
though the item to Mr.. Miller was improper one
to he paid; said mad not paid IL; put IL in be.
cause; cause Miller had been 70 much trouble and
as he was GONG to Europe meyer p mG ,ns
sage Of the bill to aid the Hope increase its STOCK;
services and got 5000; the $500 was G not pad to
iiOna Life, at 81, $780, to 60 to Albany and attend to
Legislation; 1t was done by Edward A. Jones; he did
and fixed my price a. 81 500; requested Miller to
examine the National Lfe PAID none OF the 81, 500
TO Eldrdge or other persons IN the departments did
not pay 1or the examination, out II Miller sent bill
for It to the company should consider ought to
pay out oil this 500; the Metropolitan Life by
/ had served them: i called 10 conSrssu-
late Knapp upon getting statement from
check for this amount when the company was
being examined they were afraid receiver would
ing the cOmpany, asked MIN what he would do;
Miller said he would let the company go on II they
OIL $500 to be paa to Mr. Mer ns e was ID 5s
ITO cash paid George w. Miller personally to and in
the passage Of his Diil;:' Jones since the In.
n u han hanv
pcnaod to produce this bill rendered by me to Jones
never promised Miller anything, but thought as
ne mad treated me very ceverly would give him q
testimonial; remained in Albany until the COM
pany's bill was passed.
1871; the letters OF Introduction from Lieutenant
Governor Beach and General McQuade were pre-
vey sUs sv Sy we Mand Mev sad e &c, clerks i
examination by outside experts; you never init
mated you would receive or accept cent Tor your
influence.
IL, TO MI. Babeock-I would have orered the $500 to
The testimony OF Thomas II. Borden, a policy
holder In the British Commercial, was unImportant.
Theodore X. Wetm0re recalled and produced the
check book and a check made by the Security Lie
Insurance Company for $1,000, drawn March 10,
1871. payable to Justice Lawrence or order, this
being the sum referred to In this witness evidence
as paid TO aid In the passage Of Millcr's Life bill.
At this stage OF the proceedings Mr.. George 7.
Hope came In and announced that the Insurance
had charged that Mr.. Wilson, who could prove that
the Home Insurance Company OF New Haven mad
and kept out of the way. Mr. Hope declared That ne
mad Immediately, on seeing the article, sent for Mr.
Wlson whom ne now produced. and asked that
he be called and questioned as to the matter.
Mr.. Barnes objected to call the witness, and Eng
lish, who had made the gross attack upOnMr Hope,
also declined to question Mr.. Wilson. Mr.. Hope in
sisted that Mr.. wilson should be examined and Mr..
Miller urgently pressed the suggestion. The com
mittee seemed to SIDE with Mr.. Barnes and would
not call the witness. Finally after scathing as
sau upon Barnes course OF procedure at the hands
Oh the superintendent, Mr.. Barnes called the wit.
ness
Charles Wilson. sworn-I was Vice President of
the Home Insurance Company OF New Haven until
July last; was there during the examination by
Mr. Miller, which took place In the directors room;
ne may have been there three days. do not know
was the standing counsel; there was man named
Pierce came there about the time OF the examlna-
lion; d0a't know that he performed any service
for the company was paid any money; don't
remember an entry on the books OF $4,000 paid to
s sssc %n rerce; 70 t mn may have drawn the
60, as drew many checks upon them; on looking
at IT see did uraw it.
TO Mr.. Mer-l received an article from the IN.
SurdnCe Times enclosed In letter from Mr.. Hope:
Yesterday MIR. English came to me at church. IN
New Haven and asked me aoOut 1t, but i declined
to say anything about It, he then said to me that he
might have more to say In his paper; after leaving
tn the church ! calculated TO write Mr. Hope, but
thought had better come down and explain all
knew TO AIR. Hope; II English testified that the
Home never mad more IMAM 100000 stock ne
cash and 100000 stock dividend; that made the
capital $1ooo,o oo the capital was subsequently
tion made to the company and It was true. The
following Is the letter from Mr.. Hope:-
OFFICE CT CONTINENTAL INSURANCE CoMPANYJ
l03 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, Feb. 49, 1874
CHARLES WILSON, Esq, New Haven Conn. -
MY DEAR SIR enclose slip from the Lurane, Tins.
Do you anything of this II you do know
anything, what do you know II 10 what have
heard nor what friendly unfriendy feeling you may
ma have Mr. Miller may lead you but what
hgent insurance men generally, I besr-hat
nothing yet has been shown which mp.aches Mr.. Nler
integrity but rather the contrary establishes that with
TO coerce nvesnes and epeans and IN such
markaby tree and pure from stain
The held be form of prosecution.
II is important that really adverse to Mr. MiIiers
tegrity be shown II anything exists let what
you know and let know where teegraphic despatch
Will reach you any day week. Hastily and truly,
GEORGE T. HOPE.
Mr.. Wilson resumed-The statement OF English
regarding our company sipad up capital Is false II
ne swears that our capital was but $4OO 600:
also he uttered what Is false II he stated Thai I'm June
IL was rotten 10 the core ana without any capital,