Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-11-04

ly and justly considered precarious
field, is described in little book which
has this week fallen into my hands, and
which contains a full history of the
Home Fire Insurance Company. The
occasion for the printing of this book
is the quarter-centennial dinner and
celebration of the organization of the
institution. This dinner was presided
over by President Martin, who was one
of the original officers, and whose ad-
dress shows that many others who start
ed with him in what was called a fool
hardy venture in 1853 still share with
him the unexpected and unparalleled
success which has attended their long
administration. The address shows
also how the company's capital has
grown from 100000 to s3,OOO,OOO,
more than one.third of which magnif-
cent increase arose from the capitaliza-
ton of surplus earnings, and that it has
now in its hands million more of sur
plus earnings, as yet uncapitalized.
This showing is more extraordinary in
view of the fact that the House. which
was one of the few American companies
which stood the strain of 1912, the
years of Chicago and Boston fires. paid
losses during those years Of over &c.
100000, and, during it whole existence
of over $27 100000. While scores of
other companies, started under equally
favorable auspices and handled with
fully ordinary skill have gone down
during its lifetime, the Home has stead
lily paid every claim in full and made
money in the bargain. Its history is
prominently the history of good man
agement.
The Fenian movement like the Cuban
rebellion is one of those small things
which, for some reason seems to pos
sess enormous vitality. How the hand
full of Irish enthusiasts who keep alive
the Fenian feeling among their COM
patriots hope to accomplish anything
against the power of England is not
easily understood but their show of
patriotism certainly seems to be popu-
lar among Irish Americans. A meeting
which was held at Cooper Institute, one
night this week, in honor and aid of two
prominent Fenians, Condor and Melody
who, for years, have lived in English
prisons, and who lately received their
liberty on condition that they would
henceferth enjoy it in exile, was i'm
mensely attended. The two men were
hailed as martyrs. and their speeches
DANGEROUSLY applauded. S. S. Cox,
John Kelly, Abram Hewitt. Dion Bou-
cicault and other notabilities were pre-
sent, and numerous letters were received
from prominent men who could not at
tend. Tammany Hall was. of course.
out in full force for independent of the
fact that most of the leading lights Of
that heightened organization are Irish
men, Tammany's power is SO dependent
on the Irish vote that it would run its
legs off to please that formidable con-
stituency. The Fenians feel much ell
couraged by this demonstration and
talk, and declaim loudly against
English tyranny.
Our amusement field is SO large and
so rich this week that we are in danger
of having to stay at home evenings from
sheer inability to decide where to 60
Italian opera with Minnie Hauck anG
Campanini, Genevieve Ward at the eve
popular and well-managed Booth
Theatre, Madame Won Stamwitz, tn,
grand German tragedienne at the Broad
way. Modjeska at the Fifth Avenue
Barnum's really gorgeous show at the
Hippodrome. New attractions at tn,
Aquarium. What is the poor pleasur,
seeker to do ? About the only practi
cal way out Of the difficulty is to tos
up for the choice. One is we'll reward
ed for his pains at any of these places.
RADIx.