The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-24
TOWNSHIP INSURANCE COMPANIES.

Occasional notices IN our columns during
the past year have indicated that law pass.
ed by our Legislature few years ago author
zing the formation Of neighborhood or town
ship mutual insurance companies is being
quite freely taken advantage of in this coun-
ty. There are eight or ten such companies
in operation in the county, and tha, there
might be some general good understanding
among them and uniformity of action and
purpose, nee ting of the officers of the var
Gus companies of the kind indicated in this
county was helu in Ottawa last week, when
the subjoined proceedings were had.
The following companies were represented
/. Worthwhile company, of Worthwhile town.
ship.
2. Adams, Of Adams township.
3. Mission, Serena and Freedom townships.
L. Rutland and Manlius townships.
). Grand Rapids, Brookfeld and Fall River
townships.
| 6. Allen and Otter Creek townships.
| Z. Mendoza, Troy Grove and Clarion (Bu-
reau Coz townships.
8. Farm Ridge and Deer Park townships
The meeting was organized in the office of
the circuit clerk, by choosing NJ. Flaherty,
of Serena, chairman, and z. p. Bosworth
secretary The object of the meeting, as
stated by the chairman, was to consult on
general interests and to devise means to Sc
cure uniformity iu rules and practice,
r. Williams submitted proposition that
to avoid litigation proviso be inserted In
the policies binding both company and mem
beers to refer all differences In case of losses
to a committee o: reference whose decision
shall be final as to amount, but collection
may be enforced by law.
Some discussion took place on various
subjects, including membership, premiums
and style of recording policies, whereupon
Prof. Williams moved that committee OF
three be appointed to revise our forms and
by laws, which, being seconded, was carried
and Williams OF Farm Ridge, Klove OF
Adams, and Steven son of Otter Creek, were
appointed said committee.
] a proposal to settle all dispute by arbitra
ton, when possible, was carried, and some
discussion was had on what shall be evidence
Of acceptance of transfer of policy; also on
releasing household furniture from transfer
ed policies; also on insuring school.houses
and what constitutes risk in the law. The
general practice seems to have been to regard
property as being in a separate risk when
100 feet or more distant klove thought this
distance not safe, and proposed different
rates. Messrs. Williams and Nichol opposed
different rates and advocated stricter rules OF
the insured in case ofgreater risk. 1t was pro
posed not TO pay more than 100 dollars or
any one horse that may be insured. One mem
Der thought the committee should gather stat
is;ics. Another stated that they we're embodied
in the report of the State Bureau and cOulC
be had b. writing to Springfield. n. Nc
Iutyre requested the committee to correspond
with the Attorney General as to what consti
tutes risk. On motion, Flaherty and Bos
worth were added to the revising committee
1t was thought advisable to hold another
meeting, and 1t was therefore agreed to adjourn
till some time during the meeting OF the Su
pervisors in July next.