The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-01-10

companies of this State, and $685.
696 bv companies of other States,
upon which last named sum a tax
amounting 10 s22l.76S IS was paid
into the State Treasury for the priv
ilege of doing business III this Com
monwealth.
During the same years companies
organized under the laws OF this
State to insure lives upon the assess
ment plan received in premiums and
assessments the sum of s5,5OO.oo9,
upon which no tax was paid to the
State. and paid for death claims the
sun of s2.959,302. The balance OF
s2.54l6S7 was appropriated by these
companies to agents, officers ana
expenses Most of these Companies
engaged. without warrant OF law, IN
business Of a purely speculative
character, and entire communities
were demoralized by their neiarious
operations. The evil attained such
magnitude that it was found neces-
sary to institute legal proceedings
for their suppression, which has
been happily accomplished through
the instrumentality Of the proper au-
thorities. Tits to be hoped thatthis
impressive lesson will not he lost or
forgotten. and that il viii ia the iu-
ture deter the public from placing
their trust in methods of life insur-
ance or spacious substitutes there
for which are without soild Iouuda
ton in morals or mathematics.
The act Of 1873, establishing an
insurance department, prescribes a
standard of ~soivency without COZ
formity TO which no regular life
company Is permitted To do busl-
: IA Pennsylvania. This stand
ard is one universally recognized
wherever life insurance IL treated as
a science. and Is absolutely exact,
iuasnuca as it eompels each COM
pany To have assets equal To It. pres
ent aud future liabilities. Without
such computation of future llahili-
ties. and ,he possession OF present
assets. life insurance l. based upon
nothing actual or tangible, but be
CONES a mere venture or expert
ment. What is known as co-Opera-
tive insurance. more commonly as
graveyard Insurance, Is not, Ia TACT,
worthy of the name. la many IN
stances it may operate a a bench
cial society, and when honestly con
Quoted worthily ans~er present and
pressing emergencies; but as a sys-
TEN of insurance 1t is without sub
stance or stable foundation, and
may degenerate into mere specula-
ton, or tall to pieces at any mo
ment. Without cohesive power
other than the voluntary action OF
members, companies conducting
business upon this plan may dis
solve without much warning, and
entail loss and disappointment upon
hundreds ~coniding in them for the
future maintenance of themselves
and their families.
The cooperative insurance com
panies claim a warrant for corporate
existence under section 81. act of
May /, 1876, being a supplement to
the act of 1873. To establish an
insurance department" Justice to
the good name of the State and pro-
tecuon to the people demand that
the recommendations of the lnsur-
ance Commissioner in this behalf
should be acted upon. The firm
ness and intelligence which have
marked Mr.. Forster's administra-
lions of that responsible Office are
worthy Of all praise.
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
As now constituted, the National
Guard is composed of a single di.
vision, three brigades, fifteen regi-
ments. three companies of cavalry
three batteries of artillery, three
battalians State Feneibles aud tive
independent companies. aggregating
500 nfhcers and enlisted men. They
are distributed through the State in
such numbers and in such localities
as seemed. likely best to subServe
any duty to which they might he
assigned. The Guard Is well equip
ped and armed in an improved
manner. The mobility and %etiicien.
CIV of the whole command has b-er
well attested, bath in camp and ii
route. on more than one occasion
The Quartermlster and Camnisiry
Departments have been fully prove,
la their capacity to furnish pr9npi
and economical supplies.
There l. a great degree of pride il
the organic tlon on the part of Off
cers aad men. They are citizen. o
the State, AID it is noover-tatemen'
a. say that they are among tire bes
of our citizens. They have had
common motive to reach the excel
lenee they have now attained. The,
have spent months and years jn de
yotion to their respective corps. "a.
which they never have aud neveI
will receive any compensation. ex
cept the cOnScinusBeSsQess of "A pub
lie duty well done on their part.
1t is scarcely conceivable that il
a State, great and prosperous as il
Pennsylvania, with interests anC
property of such magnitude, any
lawful can OF protection. undel
the forms of law, should te over
looked or refused; with brave sac
ehivalrous instincts in her children
which can best take form in miIitar,
duty, il is conceivable, | think. tina.
such a State should dispense witt
her citizen soldiery. The fact tina.
the National Guard has an actua
existence will always prove to b
among the best of reasons why j
will not be called into actual use
and if ii is 90 be maintained at all
every motive Of pride, economy aal
usefulness dictates the highest stat
of efficiency. To-day it is probabl,
as compact, as harmonious, and a
highly disciplined a body of mel
as mere volunteer soldiery ia eve
likely to submit itselfto be moulde,
into.
No legislation is required in refer
ence to this subject. No voice O
protest has come upfrom the peopl
indicating any dissatisfaction will
the Guard itself, OF an earnest desir
"a disnanso mill L. L. IL L.