Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-12-06
Che Cssss County 9srald.
ISLAND POND, DEC. G, 1873.
"ALL We ASK IS TO BE LET
ALONE"

insurance companies WHO CldiIn
contributions for the ostenSible
purpose of enabling them to
visit the widow and the father
less, to comfort and supply with
material aid those rendered
helpless through the death of
the strong member OF the fsmi-
ly, but who unfortunately too
often visit these unfortunates
only to inform them of a forfeit
ure of the policy, either through
some fault or omission on the
part of the insured, or for some
technical defect.
We suppose thatif the agent
of a company and its examin-
ing physician, both knowing
that the insured hahitually used
inrox1canrs snouId eneUt an in
surance under these circum-
stances, and should take the
last premium from the family
of the insured while he was On
his deathbed, and the insured
should die from the effects of a
disease which was neither re-
motely or approximately caused
by the use Of intoXicarts, and
such company's agent should
refuse to pay the policy OF re.
store the money taken from the
family it would undoubtedly
wish to be let alone. It would
undoubtedly resent such an en-
.quiry as: "Did you not know
the habits of the deceased?'
Or: "Did you take his money
on his deathbed with the ex-
pectation and foul design of
rendering him or his starving
children after his death no
equivalent therefor
1.-THE agent and examining
physician had Il mutual friend
about whom there was a latent
disease not generally known,
but of which they were aware,
and he should die after the pay.
ment of the first premium, and
they should then secure the pay
ment Of the policy; would it
not be convenient for them to
be let alone by the law and
their policy holders out Of whom
they had thus taken a large sum-
Or, if an agent through repre-.
sensations that the insured
would receive u large rate Of
interest on his investment as
long as he lived, and a payment
of the premium at death, and
other representations that would
do credit to the most garrulous
patent right or lightning-roc
man, should effect an insurance
which would drain the pocket
of the insured for years, ant
then leave him either with {
policy forfeited through soma
technically Of which the in.
sured was ignorant, or with one
worth little OR nothing; such
agent would doubtless seek com
fort and safety by skuIking be
hind the sentiment quoted. Or
if a person assuming to be ar
agent Of a company, should ct.
feet a large number of insrlr.
ances and receive in the aggre.
gate @ large sum Of money
which should get into the treas
Jury, (thc insured having ne
means Of proving this lattei
fact, and payment should be
demanded on any one Of the
policies, and such company
should deny that such agency
existed, and refuse payment, il
would be quite convenient lol
its purposes to be let alone.
fla company should consume
in commissions, salaries an<
expenses, seventy per cent. o.
the investments, and the policy
holders should look upon tht
fine buildings, elegant dresses
and splendid manner Of living
of its rich officers and undertake
to make enquiry into the eds
interested motives and pur
poses Of the operators of tn,
company, they would doubles
be pleased to be let alone.
In our judgment we ar
neither making a fancy pictur
nor over stating the facts whicl
exist as applied to many com
panies in our country. Nor d,