National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-04-12
the following protest, representing 9,244 risks,
was made mart of the answer:

WIS nhue part oil the answer
We, the undersigned members Of the Mutual
Fire Insurance Company of the District OF Colum.
bia, recognizing the ability and integrity which has
characterized the management of the company
ing that the course adopted by the board OF man
agcment In calling an annual meeting TO hold mn
election ior managers on he l4th of April, 1879
for the continued prosperity of the company do
hereby protest against the action of such of the
members of the company as have united In filing
bill In equity, praying the appointment of a receiver
Tor the company and AN injunction against hold
ing such election, as iraught with danger to the
besJ interests OF the company ana calculated TO
prevent the few expressions of the sentiments of its
members,
The case was called a few minutes after II
o'clock.
Mr.. Morris stated that Mr.. McrricS, who
was the counsel in the case, he merely being
his agent, was absent in New York city,
attending upon another cause, and could not
return until last night therefore he asked
postponcment Of the hearing until this
morning.
Mr.. Lambert thought that in view of the
fact that the time for holding the election was
set for Monday next, that hearing should be
had as soon as possible
Mr.. Morris believed in an exchange of cOur-
tesy The cause had been passed one day to
accommodate that gentleman Mr. Lambcrt),
and now he declines to reciprocate.
Mr.. Ddvidge urged progress being made, as
the time they had for action was exceedingly
brief.
1t was finally decided to read the plcadngs
and postpone the argument until 10 o'clock
this morning.
COMPROMISE PROBABLE.
Justice Macarthur, after the reading was
! finished, said, without any intention of fore
stalliug tho argument he thought that he
acted in sense Of duty to make u suggestion
to the counsel lie could conceive nothing
more disastrous TO prosperous corporation
| than for them to become the victim of litiga
ton. lie would do anything that he could to
relieve this Institution from the fate it was
! likely to experience. There seemed to be
great interests involved in this trial. 1t is
said that this company has policies outstand-
| ing representing the enormous sum of S11-
100000, and cash assets of 100000. 1t would
appear from this showing that 1t has enjoyed
the confidence of the community and attained
unparalleled success.
| If there was a possibility OF removing this
obstacle in the management of the company
at the outset, IL should be done. There ap-
pcared to have arisen controversy, if not
| bitter certainly earnest. The immediate and
| important question was the election of officers.
| There was another of msmanagement, and that
| the old officers be held to an accountability,
which might 20 on but to appoint u receiver
and issue an injunction was going to greatly
iniure the success of the institution. The way
out that lie would suggest WAS for the court to
take tho election Of the officers into its own
hands, and appoint n suitable commission to
conduct the election. lie called upon the
counsel to consult and see if they could not
come to an understanding upon this point be-
fore this morning. lie said that if the court
appointed disinterested parties to conduct tho
election, every person entitled TO vote would
be permitted to exercise that privilege If this
was acceptable to the counsel il would be graf
flying to the court to assist to this end Of Sc
curing peaceful solution of the trouble.
Mr.. Davidge said that they did not need
time to consider. The proposition was in en-
tire keeping with the spirit of the company,
and for his side he would say that they had no
hesiancy in accepting it.
Mr.. Morris was not prepared to answer Tho
proposition was in sympathy with their bill
and desire still he could not answer until after
consultation with Mr. Merrck, and that would
be in the morning.
The hearing was then continued until to.
day. 1t is expected that Mr.. Merrck will &C.
cept the proposal of the court and IN this way
the company will probably sail away from its
sea of trouble,