The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-27
[From the Commercial Bulletin and Journal 0
the South
1nnuronce


All that have bestowed thought on the matter
necessarily conclude that among the various be-
netcent institutions that have accompanied mod
ern efforts that OF Life Insurance stands fort
one of the most advantageous. Its accomplish
ments in preventing trouble, and perhaps mis-
cry entirely too great to be, in their fulness
appreciated; yet it is undeniable that uIlfortu-
nately the plan too generally pursued has in
many cases ultimated in defeating what may be
considered a legitimate object in view. Those in
our midst of but moderate means, who stand
most in need of its benefits havebeen to an eX-
tent, debarred by the expense CT the insurance
from enjoying the benefits accruing. sum OF
money is to be paid annually or semi.annually
under the regulation attended to, which poor
man frequently has not the control of But n
more serious objection to Life Insurance in too
many instances, is the insecure character of many
companies entering into the business which
seem, and indeed are, managed for the profit and
interest of only few instead of being more gen
eral then funds are misapplied; and then be-
comes evident the rottenness of the system relied
on, and the Implicitly of those upon whom conf
dence has been placed
The great desderatum i'll this business, as we'll
as all Others is absolute security from frsud truc
economy in its conducting and accommodating
payments 80 that they shall be little BURDEN
some as possible If these requisites are com
piled with, the plan must succeed and as a con-
sequence continual increase of their usefulness
becomes apparent, presenting favorable COM
parison with any effort to ameiorate the trouble
OF life Journey and this now the case at least
in the instance of the U. B. Mutual Aid Society,
of Pennsylvania, the central office of which is To-
Gated at Lebanon, in that State, whose first certi-
fcate OF mem bership was issued on the 18th of
May, 1870 so that successful experience of seven
years has been attained.
An essential element in that institution is to
furnish insurance at the actual st, and at the
same time induce the greatest confidence Of Sc
curity and safety, and by their arrangement its
advantages becomes accessible to all. regardless
OF financial circumstances. 10 obtain tn is desir-
able result the Association is formed into divis-
ions, according to the amount of Insurance. and
the divisions divided into classes OF one thou
sand memuers each, and upon the death OF a
member, each of the remaining members of his
class pays his or her pro rata share of the nsur-
ance; or as understand the matter, it is some
thing after this manner:
We will suppose that Mr.. John Smith, aged 50,
desires to become mem Der for ii 900 benefits
he applies to ore OF the agents, and is, if ap-
proved OF, classified in the manner stated. A
small initiation fee is required, and an annual
payment of IS per annum, which, after a period
Of four years, is reduced to ~; he thus becomes
member Of class No. division, and accordingly
has 500 cO-members who, OF course, are interested
in his health, etc. In the event OF one dying, he
receives a notification thereof, involving a pay
ment on his part of seventy nine cents thus ena-
bling the organization to pay the family OF the
deceased member one thousand dollars And in
the same way is the family of Mr.. Smith assured
OF similar result in OF his demise. Or il an
insurance of $4,000 instead Of $1,000 is desired, the
payments doubled, and so on in accordance
with the amount insured for The amount a
member pays on death always depends on the
age Of the member when he Joined; age Is paying
80 cents, and age IS paying W. 90,
Thus it becomes apparent that this is really q
Mutual Aid Society, each member thereof, as it
were, acting part of a guardian over his fellow
members for his advantage in various ways, aris-
ing in no small degree from the circumstances of
his Individual interest being involved in the
weIl-doing OF his companions. Each one desires
the health and comfort OF the others if from 40
higher motives, because his own payment de-
pends thereon, and so a social advantage arises
eliminating in a common advantage to all con-
cerned and the success OF the enterprise presents
an illustration the wisdom OF the arrangements
seldom equaled or so thoroughly satisfactory.
The classes of the insurers are kept up to the
full one thousand, for when vacancies occur,
their places are at once filled by others of cores
M a her wi an he
first Joined, if that cannot be the case, younger
ones are selected, or less number put in. so tina
the age OF the class shall not be increased, thus
uniting two important features, succession and
equality.
extend the benefits OF the Institution have been
attended with entire success, and constant in
crease takes place, which is ascertained by the
Sixth Annual Report OF the Society showing that
the amount of certificates in force amounted on
the 31st OF December 1875, to $14 e56 issued in
last year. 531 900 amount OF losses in last year,
sos 100; total losses paid to August L. 1871 O0O
assets subject to assessment August l, 1877, $21,
O,000 cash assets, 100000.
There is always held large reserve on hand,
accumulated from annual payments, to meet
whatever demands may occur. Their surplus now
amounts to over 100000. This, then, is no longer
an experiment, but substantial reality, giving
every promise of perpetuity, founded upon the
soundness OF the principles governing, and the
judicious laws determined on for its management,
added to which are the superior intelligence and
unbIemished integrity of the gentlemen selected
and all receive and are entitled to full confidence
wherever acquaintqnceship exists with their
ability exceliency. The following the
officers:
President Hon. John K. imports Vice Presi-
dent, j. B. Stehman Secretary, George A. Mark
Treasurer. L. B. Rauch General Agent at Harris
burg, D. s. EARLY; Assistant General Agent at
Lebanon. L. W. Craumer Actuary. A. L. Kephart,
| A. NJ; Medical Examiner, s. B. Light, NJ. d. Ex
ecutive Committee, Messr ]. H. Kinports, L. V.
Rauch, George A. Mark and L. W. Craumer FL
| nance Committee, Messrs. H. II. Kr1eder, Gideon
| Light and H. II. Gelbach.
We hesitate not to call on the thoughtful to in
vestigate the subject of Life Insurance examine
the various projects for carrying it on by the diff
ferent companies examine with care all the de-
tails adopted, and we feel confident that the
clusion5 arrived at will be much to the advantage
| OF the U. B. Mutual Aid Society of Pennsylvania
| Their plan of business is the safest for the in
surers snd the character of those entrusted with
its conducting is such that perfect reliance is al
once instituted both in their ability and intention
| to accomplish the end in view. of making the in
surance certain benefit to all concerned
Losses have been sustained by insurers in Other
companies, but this has carefully provided against
such possibility in several ways; it always has
| large surplus to meet any contingency, and, q
trihe to EACH assessment to the many affords full
guarantee of security.
~ We are gratifed to learn the Society has ap-
pointed Messrs. WIN. FORBES and ARIsTA HoGE. Of
| Staunton, District and Securing Agents for the
| State of Virginia, and that they have appointed
| Mr.. ASHER w. CAREER Securing Agent for the
city Of Richmond-all good appointments