The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-01-17
B c. ToR-EY, Secretary.
IIt~.' ATKTNc Traac,ro,
Civil Service Reform in Mass
achuSettS.

The freshest illustration of Democratic
low, for civil service reform is furnished by
the latest-named Democratic candidate for
the Presidency, Gov. Butler of Massachu-
sets. 1t is understood that bluff Benz
has decided to remove from the Office of In
surancc Commissioner of his State the pres
ent incumbent, Julius L. Clarke, and to ap-
point in his stead n A. Ply mpton, execu-
Tive chairman of the Democratic State Com
mit:ee Clarke's term of office does not ex-
pire until 1885, and so he can be only re-
moved for cause. The real cause is politi.
Cal. Piympton did Butler good service last
Fall, wants to be Insurance Commissioner,
and is to begrewarled with the office of his
choice for his services as henchman That
is the real reason for the change; but in
these days of civil service reform it is impol-
j Z give the real reason. So 'cause''
,..va) is trumped up, and the ostensi-
e s.'h advanced is that in Mr.. Clarke's
- YEAR he made favorable mention
IS Reinsurance companies out of
tas Massachusetts. These compa-
lc Equitable Life of New York ,the
IS pi The same city and the In
lel Maine.
j. oi objection to the praise
81 at heard from the Massachu-
seas ; and as the report had been
a.nded suspicion at once
q9 81, the governors motives were
ea zeal. and that the change was
q ~ reward for partisan service
agi he protection of the insurance
ms he State. With the view to con-
We this suspicion the Boston
E8na approached prominent life in
s',s If taaL city and learned from
hey fiud no fault with Mr.. Clarke
f rs report They regard hi i as a
cry commissioner, and scout the as
that there is anything unjust or
X nf fayoiitism in the mention made
zee outside companies. The alb
he charge made is best illustra-
tug from the report the passage
sc newly-pledged Massachusetts
njects 1t is headed "The Equit-
il Lie Insurance Companies, }" and reads
a. ,,.,s.s:
-: rue mission of life insurance is best
Ill =; b, ali honest and equitable observance
o sc mutual rights and guarantees in which
go. c. l,aD.eS aud policy holders possess a
D., irsGsi interest. Both are in honor bound in
: CT. interest hy sacred trusts and obligations,
$40 ieiIh have moral as well as legal rights
rc'ia tislDaHd mutual and honorable recogni-
ro II such a partnership of interest had
bee always accepted in its proper scope and
apg.licaiion, the beDefcent purposes of life in
Egrsi;ct would have been more fully and salts
f3cyar'iy realized, there would have been less
81 tspe and technicality, and its equities would
have foand more ready and generous concess-
ion; while dissatisfied policy holders, too often
unreasonable and disingenuous, would have
had less cause for complaint, real or imagin-
sry.
the great ana 'nbersome detail of particulars
witch seue panies require the beneficiary
to yer.'s'i ~ Jof of loss or claim. With all
regard 10 cs.e and urecaution looking to the
projections Of companies and policy holders
against fraudulent claims, it is still true that,
10 large majority of cases, the exacting re-
qairameuts imposed are both unjust and un-
Necessary. Before the issue of policy, it is
r CARED tAat application shall be made with
-, the PARTICULARLY and minuteness necessary
IT az Intelligent determination of its merits
ad. conditions. With proper care and investi-
s.si :. 10 would appear incumbent on compa-
g see, tl'eu and there, that they are mt
s upon by erroneous statements, inten-
Ally or "a her Hise.
''lct duty, imperatively discharged, would
e a OILY coDnIoD justics to all concerned, es-
"a nj ~ view Of thesfacts that, after long
lse me, auriDg which policy may con-
81 &, .<SDss aud particulars susceptible of
ai.d O. mplefe veIifcation at date Cf issue
lre MO ~ muiti,udes of Cases to have faded
j., ,gne Impressions.
'U.,Yer such circumstances the beneficiary,
wa, At best, could never have had as complete
III, Tmaton as the insured, should not be COM
psi esi Il, stake his claim upon the venture of
aissNeriug III proof the same identical quss-
t,ons in the same identical terms in which they
appear ia the original application, which, in
iIs.e Cases out OF ten, he may never have seen.
t:-;ss'lY, all that should ever in Justice be re-
q Of :. ciaimant is that he prove his own
he policy, and that the event on
,yes 10 ud9sDre has occurred, Ii furth-
j. ecesssrv, the burden of proof
d O. nj lie company.
a. q! aDfsOsance, and the loss of Just
claims, have too frequently re-
he arultrsry enfoi cement of mere
= ;tchs3cal points. The innocent and
thus often been made the vic
W.: z, while others have profited
o. tn; OF Corporate pledges and
ta q - acquired rights.
c.mpatIes might be named
}s so t siied, and whose sCrupu-
q squities of life insurance,
generous luIfillment of its
ilioF 10 their integrity and
re vel known and honor
Ance IN the right direction
'ti' es We're prompted to the
c o1eAsurts for the relief of
80 n dependents from I'M
~. a. q oelay in the adjust
a..H c'a.ols. The action of
20 YORK., The Union Mutual
,'s Uhtted States life. in maktnq
%. hc0netestdbte. subject to prope7
0itd utter reasonable time, places
aitts c0Dmendable category. Other
.''v~ adopted various plans looking
.e.tilts, and others still are realizing
Ice and advantage of liberal con-
L., CDeir desire to be just yet gener-
DO glad, sooner or later, to accept
rngnirion of acquired equities, as
"a, ed rights"
rose recommendations. so wise
~, trd especially for the words
I'D above, tiIat Governor
- remove the efficient Com
..drance? The idea is pre-
poSOerous. The reasons given for the con-
templated removal are grotesouelv absurd.