New-York tribune., 1878-12-21
THE LIFE IySUR1YcE CONTROVERSY.

THE PROTESTING POLICY-HOLDERS OF THE MUTUAL
LIFE STAND FIRM-NoT MUCH MATHEMATICS OR
BLACKMAIL IN THE CONTEST, But 4 GOOD DEAL
or BACKBONE.
A week has now passed since THE TRIBUNE
first called attention to the fact that paper
was In circulation among the policyholders OF
the Mutual Life Insurance Company remonstrat-
ing against the rebate plan recently adopted
by its official managers This publication OF the
essential and vital points OF the protect taken IN
connection with the earnest aud resoute character
aud high standing OF the remonstrants, al ono"
caused q cOmmotOn. not 10 say an explosion
which can only he accounted for by the
immense and growing interests inyolvedn this business
The officers of the company Immediately published an
argument IN justification OF their They asserted
that the ability OF the company lower its rates had
been experimentally demonstrated. cOntended that
this subtraction OF 80 per cent from
the first two annual premiums allowed
to entering policy yholders not only equitable but
economical and made point that the opposition to the
new plan was stimulated by the emissares OF rival COM
panics The remonstrans were evidently not convinced
hy the official logic Of the company for they at once
filed a reoinder and published In THE TRIBUNE
the full text OF the protest, which was a
vigorous assault on the system ITSELF while carefully alb
staining from any imputation Of improper or unworthy
motives against the officers Of the company.
since the controversy has been made public there has
part Of the dissatisfied members. From conversations
with seyera Of the more active remonstrants yesterday
II was learned that the protest rapidly gathering
signatures and glance OF the papers showed the
names OF such gentlemen Cyrus ". Field. Conrad "
Jordan John G.. Dale. VIM. II. GuiOn, Edward Rae,
Heron A. johnson and many others. A delega-
lion OF policy-holders from New-Englsnd, headed
by an Ex-Governor, has been in cOnsulta
,on with committee In this city, and
measures were taken to secure the coODcra
ton OF members throughout the country wherever
any could be found who disapprOyed OF any
deviation rom the Traditional policy OF the com
paBy. Yesterday a representative OF InE IhibUsI
the movement, " What do you hope To accomplish by
the prOtestf ,,.., s., ,,,
managers and abandonment OF the febalo expcri-
ment And encouraged by the fact that ~ ls'2
the officers the company did accedo To request OF
the memuers and abandon attempt 10 rrduCr rates
"will this controversy iniurc the company"
ono. Certainly We done want 10 injurc the company
II l. our company We elect trustees guard ana III
vest money. IL would DC quite as reasonable 10
charge with being anYbOdys issares There
are always free ances securing the realms oi HE IN
trouble. But We are not that kind Of naraudet-.
There Is nothing personal IN this controversy Ihe
trustees men whom respect Most OF IN III are my
personal friends. This II business. ana question hs
20 the of doing business
"Do you think the reserves suflcicnt--"
STOP There Is occasion 10 shoot Of a
yOey Of mathematics nt anybody We take the broad
ground of the protest, which doesn't require much
IBID YOU see the advertisement of tho Mutual Life in
THE TRIBUNE this mOrning
Yes Aud that showing OF its unparalleled success IA
the strongest proof that the old ways are the true
ways"
what do you propose to DO II the remonstrance
faiIst"
one thing nj a time young man. The remOnslrance
hasn't had a fair chance TO fan yet"
A sharp call from n committee Of the rrmonsrnnts,
addressed 10 tho policY-hoders OF tIo Mutual L Will
be found IN another column.