The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-05
s,,oo,,,,,,,.. :, s,ce Insurance Policies.

SpecuIating in life Insurance PoiicIes'
Alonzo G. Koontz aud John F. Starner
were arrested on Saturday last and balied IN
the sum Of s., coo each to answer the charse
of forging an application Tor an insurance
policy on TIE life Of Samuel Dung. A near
Ing was given them before Jusuce y. W.
Crapster on Wednesday, d. n Hennihg'
ESQ, appearing for the State, Hon. ChaS. b.
Roberts for Alouzo G. k0ontZ, and Hon.
.Jobn +. Smith for John T. Starner. After
investigation Srarner was discharged and
Kuontz Held TO bail for the action OF the grand
iury at the next term Of the circuit court. on
The charge Of forgery at common law, u'is-
demeauor The testimony was not direct or
conclusive but showed that policy Tor Sl3,-
600 was taken ont on the life OF Samuel
Young. aged nearly 81 years, aud that Mr..
Young neither signed an application tor a
policy nor authorized any one else to do so.
il was in evidence, also that koontz had SAID
he sold two interests IN the policy and had OF
fered a So, goo interest to a merchant, living
not tar from this city. koontz was arrested
on information he himself had uuwiuingly
oiveu. but as he could not be compelled to
testify against himself important facts re-
lated by him could not be gotten nj illegally
The insured an / the uccJsel all live ia Ny
ers' district
After investigating points directly bearing
on this case. the counsel on both sides sought
to investigate the insurance business IS con
Quoted in this county, by agents OF foreign
eompauies, aud many important facts were
brought out The insurance business, It APP
pearrd. was sort of a huckSterng business
and policies were taken out IN very irregular
manner. The parties Insured, an Insurance
agent stated. were from 90 10 50 years OF age
Ii was also shown that the greater the death
rate the greater profit TO the officers OF the
company. and il WAS to the interest OF these
officers to have infrm and unsouud persons
insured. Agents get compensation cores
pondiug to the number OF policies taken and
the amount OF insurance. IL was 70 their Ia
terest to insure persons, and where an aged
psrson was found who was unable to take out
a policy. the agent hunted up persons who
would 10 So Sometimes q u4m5er ot peg
SOS would be Interested in one policy. and
consequently auxiuusly awaiting the death OF
the insured IN order to get the insurance.
Such speculation is revolving 20 public
morals II not criminal, and II u Is not stopped
may lead 10 serious consequences. IL has
led 10 forgery already, and II not checked
mas lead 60 murder. this speculation on
the lives of people IN whom the beneficiary
has no interest. is vide spread la the coauiy-
Many of the aged in this county, who have
lived honest and upright lives. ;,ho are re-
spec,ed by their neighbour, aud ezpeel 10 be
kindly remembered when dead. hitie suspect
that "a half dozen or more persons ace anX
iouslv awaiting ,beir death hour. for ee doabt
not that many are insured aud have a3 kuoNl-
edge OF IT,
We may ada, however, that some who have
been specializing ia lie Insurance policies no
doubt hnve done So thoushtiessly, without
considering the tendency OF sach transactions
aud the immoral easc, upoa themselves AMI
The community.