Smyrna times., 1882-05-31
Annual Convention Of the Rochester
Mutual Relief Society.

Nv
present some impressions with regard to
Its standing and methods Of doing business.
which | received while in attendance as
delegate upon the late convention held
at Rochester, \. Y, May 10th.
The Branch here has been ormorizod
Out short time, and il was deemed advis-
able to examine the institution NJ its
headquarters, that they might satisfy
themselves whether it was 1lstly entitled
TO the confidence which they had shown
IN its workings, by connecting themselves
WITH 1t. The following statements are
therefore given in all frankness.
|. Impressions as to the character Of jb,.
material compoSingthc he Conrcaiiou.-I found
about hundred and fifty men in atten-
dance, representing the States of New
York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Della
ware. a large portion Of them were nro-
tesslonai gentlemen, manufacturers. State
and city officers, Insurance experts. mcr-
chants. &c. ] should Judge that they
were from the best classes OF society in
their respective localities. They were fo,.
the most part in the prime of life and
/ proved themselves unusually bright,
shrewd and straightforward legislatino
/ skilltully upon whatever came before
them. was particularly struck with the
presence OF men who were prominent in
other life Insurance Companies. and who
seemed TO speak of this, as in some
/ respects superior TO them all. II Was eyi-
dent that they had come together for busi-
ness. for before the regular session opened
the various features of the institution were.
cahvaSscd by interested groups all through
the Hall. On the whole. | was pleased
with the quality of the Convention.
! :. Nethod% ct 6uSjnes in the Coareafioa-
The President, Mr.. Ellis called the body
to order at 10 o'clock, and announced the
! Committee on Credentials. The rcports
OF the President, Secretary and Treasurer
were then read. They were well writ
ten, able documents, and gave a full report
OF all business done through the year.
BY vote Of the Convention they are TO be
printed in full, and a copy scnt to each
member, SO that al! may see exactly what
has been the scope and method of opera
tons. Numerous changes were made in
the BYLAWS, and it was during the dis
cussions upon these that the temper of the
delegates was manifested: every change
was closely scrutinized and ably discussed
many questions were asked. and every
possible guard threwn around expendi-
lures, such as salaries, &c. l was con-
strained to oppose two changes in the BY
Laws, but after hearing full discussion ON
these, felt that possibly the society would
be helped by their adoption. Economy
in management was the will Of the meet
ing very evidently, and no loopholo was
left for indefinite expenditure.
was particularly gratified with these
discussions. One egeneralim impression among
the delegates seemed to be this, that the
Annual Convention feature is the safety
valve Of the concern. This meeting each
year, of men from all sections, for the pur.
pose OF exchanging views, examining ac.
counts, electing officers; having full power
to legislate, to check. to condemn. to ap
prove and TO control all officers. makes il
easy to ascertain the exact situation of the
business and TO rescue the management
from perils and wrong dealing l think
each Board should be represented al
every Convention.
8. The Books and 44ccouatS-All books
and accounts are open to the inspection Of
any member Of this soci.ty and the law
provides that this shall be the case
During the Convention, many accountants
examined the Office business and especial
ly the Secretarys books, and they speak
of them as kept in an unusually complete
and satisfactory way. Mr.. Slaughter, OF
ChestertOwn, Nd, an officer of the law
and very skillfal in figures, was upon the
Auditing Committee. He pronounced the
accounts, vouchers, &c, all very satisfac.
tory. The Convention adopted resolu.
tion cOmplimenting Mr.. Slocum, Secretary
I upon his conduct of the business of his
office.
The Secretary and Treasurer are each
bonded in the sum of $4,000, and the
bonds are held by the President The
funds are deposited not to the name o.
any individual, but in the name of the
society
The prompt payment OF death claims is
a marked feature of the Office. I had
numerous conversations with gentlemen
of various sections, and the universal
statement was that the claims have all
been promptly settled.
/. Statistics
Members year ago...................... !, sos
Applications since made................. 2,467
Rejected 12S
I4apsed during year....................... 65a
Deceased. A
Present net membership. ip................. 6,452
Per cent. of lapses less than last year.
There were 13 assessments last year, show
ing that at the present time, one assess
ment pays deaths or nearly SO. The
death rate per year is rs per l 1000 mem
bers. The average age of persons insured
this year is 3S 3-5 years.
Balance ON hand. 2,90491
General fund eipts......."..... 15,992.00
Beneficiary fund receipt......... S9,129.66
Total. .S108, ,036.s7