The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-19

management of those who understand ii. with their
hands as tree from and nntrammelled by legis-
sumption that intelligent business men do
not know, enough to manage their own
task for them is both erroneous and misc hievous.
Influenced by this nnsound idea the Legislature
twenty years ago established the Insurance Depart
ment The os.ensible purpose of its establishment
to protect the public, the policy and stockhold
itself strictly to the accomplishment of that object
did comparatively little harm and no good. It's
whole history shows that the community would have
Jared much better without it than with it, People
who wish TO insure their property or their lives.
if left to exercise their own discretion. will
be more likely to select safe and well con-
Quoted companies in which to insure than they
will II they rely upon the direction given them by
an agent OF the state The intermeddling of a State
official is almost invariably mschevous in its opera
tion and results am informed that within the last
years thirty life insurance companies have
failed. involving loss to citizens OF this State
of 1863 900. This shows how little protec-
ton the department gives. am therefore OF
opinion that the wisest legislation in regard
10 the Insurance Department would be to abol
ish il and to return its few necessary powers to
This step advise. believing that it will benefit the
parties interested and much rebound to the credit Of
the State The same general rule naturally applies to
the business OF banking. 1t may be claimed
that far savings banks concerned.
the class of people who deposit their savings
with them require some governments guardianship
But this is doubtful The host of savings banks
which have grown up as If i'll night, hourished for
time and then became insolvent, could never have
gained the confidence of the poor people whose little
all was lost by their operations ii character and
credit had not been given to them by the pretence
that the State the protector of their interests
In 1877 the superintendent whom the State had
chosen and who had served for several years guar
negligence and incompetency and almost the entire
time OF the very faithful and efficient deputy into
whose hands the work has fallen has been occupied
in saving what he could from the ruin into which
many of the savings banks fell.
'.It is also question worthy of consideration
whether il the State will not leave people and
way, but persists i'll exercising governmental con-
troll over them through such agents it fit to
appoint for that purpose it ought not to be respon
sible to parties VINO suffer through the negligence
nslfeasance of such agents. leommendto your con-
sideration such measures will tend to
speedy and less expensive mode OF proceeding for
winding up the affairs Of the insurance companies
and savings banks that have failed that parties
who have suffered by them may receive. at the earliest
day possible whatever may be saved from the wreck
of such institutions.
The above timely warnings Of Governor Robinson
may operate in influencing the passage OF such laws
will promote much needed reform in the direc
tons mentioned. The extracts are gwen to
direct particularly at this time the Legislative and
public mind to subjects which ottentimes
looked and mystihed through corrupt and interested
WHAT LEGISLATURE.
great many important things oaght to be done
DONE while again other things will be attended to
which might far better be left alone. Among the
measures demanding immediate attention the
/. Passage of apportonmentbi bill. by which the
thousands voters III present unrepre-
scented in the Legislature can have voice in the max
ing of laws.
3 The abolition and amendment of statutes by
which the taxpayers of New York be relieved
of paying at least $5,0O0,00O year extravagant
salaries and for the support of sinecurists who
could scarcely earn living at any reputable employ
nient
3. Abolishing the fees of Register, Sheriff and
County Clerk (which amount annually to from
100000 to x100,UO0, and making those offices sala
red that the fees might go into the city treasury.
4. Passage of an equitable excise law, which will
protect the liquor interest well as lovers of law
and order ana prevent the police from blackmailing
and excise commissioners from arrest and removal
through msconception of their duties.
5. Reforming the well known abuses in public
markets in New York city by which shareholders and
their friends said to be blackmaed and the city
defrauded OF large amount OF revenue.
6. Changing the statutes governing the Dock De-
partment III New York. by which the income from
docks, wharves and piers can be largely increased
aud tine sinking fund for extingushing the city debt
materially enhanced.
Z. Providing additional protection for depositors
in savings banks and holders OF policies in insurance
companies.
g. Enacting statutes which will benefit the masses
as against the encroachment of powerful railroad
and other corporations i'll their seizure of public and
private property for the benefit of rings
o. Compelling proper accounting for ana collec-
ton OF personal and real taxes whore corporations
parties in interest. t,
These are among few of the many reformatory
to which the Legislature OF 1879 should de-
vote earnest attention. Will tdo viii the lobby
influence, which already, according to present ap-
pearances, has its choking grasp upon tho legisa-
tive threats, be able to carry out its nefarious
schemes in preventing the passage of all proper
laws The progress of business here only
nswer the question. II will be simple duty 90
solve such vital conundrums the advances
in order to enlighten the public to the and
the men who throw impedments in the way or sug-
gested reforms.