Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1877-03-17
OIL, Vpl,. S,ruRDAr MORNING. MAR. II, 1871
National Insurance.


An Eastern journal advocates the
remarkable proposition Of the Gov
ernncnt assuming control OF the in
suranco business Of the country. 1t
argucs tina, while the Guaranty would
be absolute, the cos. 10 the individ-
ual would be reduced in proportion
b. the enormous expense OF maintain
ing the legion Of officers employed by
the several hundred agencies now in
existence in this country, aggregat-
ing in rents, salaries, miscellaneous
items and dividends. a large pro-
portion Of tho cost of each policy.
II IL proposed, Of course, to transact
tho business through the channels
already in existence, without any in
crease Of expense, and thus afford
profitable employment for Thousands
OF officers whose time now drags
YEARLY along. In this respect, ut
lcast, IL would prove Of some benefit,
whether those individuals will be
able 10 realize it or not, and the
time spent in managing the details
~ party lrill would be much more
prof,ably employed. Thepro6ts on
insurance nrc enormous, as is proven
by the large percentage allowed to
agents. the rapid increase of capital
aud the satisfactory dividends de-
clared at stated intervals. A large
portion Of this, even with a ma
terial reduction Of rates would enure
Ia the Government, resulting to the
benefit of the citizen both rs an inte-
grail part Of the commonwealth, in
augmcn,ing the national revenue.
and as an individual by lessening the
rates Of insurance and securing the
best possible protection from loss.
The arguments Of the originator
Of this plan do not indicate the
class Of insurance contemplated, but
the inference il drawn that they
contemplate only fire risks. Now
We can see no reason why the same
arguments would not apply as well
10 marine and life insurance. The
inspection Of vessels would necessa.
rily 10 more thorough, and the rot.
Ten hulks which have been contin.
ral menace TO life would be speedily
replaced by scaworthy craft. War
would he impossible while the Gov.
ernmcnt held q life-interest in the
welfare Of it's citizens.
In fact the idea is capable of in
definite expansion. The insurance
from accidents to travellers would
compel the Government to require
the thorough construction OF rail.
roads. to provide for the use Of best
material under the most artistic con.
struction and over the safest routes
I, would likewise, under our excel.
lent civil service regime, lead to the
selection Of the best talent and bust
ness capacity in the nation for the
management Of such great public
benefits.
II IL barely possible, however, that
there may be compromising objec.
tons to the scheme. 1t might open
the door to still greater frauds thar
those which disgraced the admins.
tsation Of Grant. and still further
complicate tho machinery by which
the nation moves. The view has
been from but one end Of the teles-
cope. and II we reverse it tho object
may appear 30 entirely different aa
10 change the favorable impression
entertained at first sight. But il
must b admitted that this partial
glimpse Of the writer's views, pre-
ssnts quito an irresistible an aspect
~ tho tho Pleasanton bluegrass
theory. and II II obtains ~ many i'd
vocates in ~ short time, will. before
smother general election occurs, be
recognized by the creed Of the party
Of progress and reform
RxcxrrioS PAnrr.-A large num-
Lar Of DR. Xillard,s frienda asaam.