Daily Los Angeles herald., 1879-03-28
LIFE INSURANCE AND ITS
Enemies.

Life Insurance has become one OF the
most important economical Institutions
of modern times and powerful agent IN
the accumulation of material wealth.
The vast good continually accruing TO
the public and the government itself
through this medium, fs almost 1ncal-
culable. Hence, it is the manifest duty
of the public and government TO foster
and encourage everything OF an nonest
and legitimate character connected with
the general life insurance structure OF
this country.
Legislation should not be onerous, the
public should not confOund the good
with the bad, rival companies should
grand cause which they exemplify, and
rival agents should not defame their CO.
laborers.
These remarks are suggested by a
movement which has been warmed into
faint life with the object of injuring the
business and reputation of the acif1c
Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Call
ifornia, by the managers OF certain other
Life Insurance Companies doing busi-
ness here. There are, unfortunately.
people in the life insurance ranks who
ieel convinced that the only way they
can build themselves up is by tearing
somebody else down. Birds of prey do
not scent carrion with q more unerrlng
hungry adventures, who have crept into
the business, hunt around for a weak
spot in which to attack neighbor, pro-
vfded there is the least possible chance
OF prospective gain, no matter what the
consequences be 10 all except them
selves.
On this principle we can ace ount for
the feverish desire in the quarter we have
designated TO organize raid on the Pa
cific Mutual, as the goodly amount oi
agency corps are we'll calculated TO water
the mouths of that narrOw-minded and
envious class which are mean enough to
look for business at any cost, gorge
curse themselves because there is any
thing lett for anybodo else. Now, as far
| as the evil result OF such n movement on
| the Pacific Mutual Is concerned, it Is un.
worthy of q thought. as that com pany is
too well fortified behind the bulwarks Of
| financial strength and able and honest
manageme ent to fear any onslaught from
whatever source; but as an insurance
journalist whose desire 1t is to see legits.
mate and we'll managed insurance insti-
tutions of whatever kind prosper, and
thus prove public benefactors, we cannot
but raise our voice in protest against ali
such guerrilla warfare, and shall vigor-
ously work our kicking machine on all
marauders OF whatever stripe; and but
for the fact that We have been invited to
join in contemplated raid, we would
expose the names OF all parties concern.
ed. But as we feel sure they must now
ton and will desist from luther fool
hardness in that direction, we Will spare
them that modification for the present,
and unless we see further cause for our
application ofthe lash.
When Ill management calls for Just
and proper criticism we are always ready
TO fulfill the duty OF Journalists, but un-
merited abuse and oppression Is beyond
our sufferance, and SO long as the officers
OF the Pacific Mutual meet the obliga-
tions and responsibilities mposed by
their positions, as they always have
done heretofore, they will be entitled to
the full confidence OF the public and the
hearty support ofthis journal.
Now that we have had our attention
called to the D after, we cannot allow the
word relative to the Pacific Mutual Life.
This company was organized In 1858, and
has for over eleven years faithfully full
filled all its engagements of whatsoe yer
nature, and at The same time gradually
developed into strong and healthy cor
poration. Its stockholders, who are
among the foremost business men and
capitalists Of this State, have taken a
pride in seeing the company prosper and
have aye In every leailmate way contributed
sets of over Sl,2oO,000 and handsome
surplus, all invested in approved securi-
ties. which yield an average interest OF
over " per cent. per annum, and its year
ly income Is near y half q million dol.
lars.
The company has recently adopted
several new features which are well
worthy the attention Of the public and
must render IL more popular than ever,
The ofiicial staff combines faithfulness,
integrity and skill, ahd under their man.
agement there can be no doubt but what
the Pacific Mutual will continue to grow
In strength and public esteem, despite
the maehinations OF Jealous rivals.-Ed-
ftor Avalanche.