The Portland daily press., 1883-11-22
The Insurance Trouble.

During his late campaign Governor Butler
In one Of his stump speeches attack the Un-
ion Mutual Life Insurance Company of
Maine. 1t was regarded as an incident of
bis systematic course of startling assertions
made In recklessness of truth and fairness.
and 1t attracted but little attention. His pur-
pose then was to make it appear, If possible.
that his action in removing from office In
surance Commissioner Julius L. Clarke was
justified on account of neglect of duty by
that official. 1t was not believed then
that anything further would be heard of the
matter after it had served his purpose in the
campaign, and so far as the public was
aware until last evening the company was
not being troubled.
But last evening, like clap of thunder
ont OF clear sky, came the intelligence that
proceedings instituted with regard to the
company by the Insurance Department. of
Massachusetts, had been suddenly suspend
ed. 1t was given out that the company had
refused to permit its affairs to be examined,
and 1t was inferred, as matter of course,
eHeAe VIC AOAp otCP WOuiQ LuG I6NDCdLIOn
OF its license to do business in that State.
Without explanation or qualification, the
announcement that any Insurance Compa-
ny had refused TO allow an examination of
Its business and condition to be made by the
officials appointed to guard the interests of
the public would have a bad seeming. Such
refusal, If unconditional, or given under
circumstances which implied wish 20 avoid
and escape scrutiny of its management,
would be a just ground for its suspension.
But in this case no circumstances were
given, only there was repeated, in connec-
ton with the announcement, certain stale
and misrhievous statements relating to mat
ters In the past history of the company,
which had often been commented upon.
What the Insurance Commissioner of
Massachusetts has failed to do,-although
justice required that he should do it before
taking any step that would have tendency
TO impair the public confidence, or cause f.
nancial loss to company,-the officers of
this company have done promptly. They
have issued full and clear statement of the
circumstances on account of which this &C
ton has been taken. Their statement is
auch narration, substantiated by documen-
tary evidence, as must, it seems to us, make
favorable impression on the minds OF un-
prejudiced aud just men. 1t is devoid Of
argumentatiyeness and of passion, and is
simply whatsit purports to be, plain state
ment of the facts in the case, from which
any intelligent citizen will be able to frame
his own conclusion concerning the propriety
of the harsh action of which the company is
the victim.
1t appears from this settlement in the first
place that the insurance Commissioner of
this State was making an examina-
ton of the company, very proper thing for
him to do in view of the charges and insin-
uations lately made by Governor Butler.
Uutil Governor Butler inaugurated another
policy and required the officer ne had APP
pointed, and whom he designates with an
imperial air 'my insurance commissioner
to discredit the examination made by the
commissioners of other States, it had been
customary to treat them as made in good
faith by honorable men. Commissioner
Tarbox, hearing that Commissioner smith
was making an examination of the
condition of this company, requested per-
mission to cooperate with him in the exam
tnation. Commissioner Smith preferred 10
do his own work in his own way with his
own assistants responsible to himself, and
very properly declined the proposal of Gen
eral Buffers man.
Thereupon Mr.. Tarbox sent his man
Plympton and another to make an immediate
examination Of the company. They were
very properly informed in effect that the
company was Maine company, that the
State from which it had its charter had
notified it through the proper officer of an
intention to make an examination, and
that after that examination the State of
Massachusetts could make such examination
at it might be disposed to make by any
agents selected for the purpose. 1t was
distinctly stated that the company did not
refuse to be examined, and that it would
notify the Massachusetts Insurance Depart
nent Immediately of the conclusion of the
examination by the Maine Commissioner
in order that the former might then begin
it's work. Thereupon the Massachusetts,
commissioner suffered the false report to GO
ont that the company had refused to permit
an examination and has revoked It's license
to do business in that State.
The whole proceeding of Commissioner
Tarbox apparently indicates that his motive
Is not to discover the truth about this COM
pany but to persecute it. The thing looks
like malicious attempt to injure the COM
pany's business, undertaken, like so much
else that the present Governor of Massachu-
setts has done by himself or by his agents, to
make noise and sensation which will be
advantageous to him politically We have a
confident expectation that this, like his other
powder-ships, will bring him no credit in the
end. He can do this company temporary
Injury no doubt, as he has done the good
name OF Massachusetts temporary injury,
BY his false accusations and arbitrary exer-
else of tyranous authority. But he is toe
notorious as wanton libeller to do as much
harm as ne otherwise might.
Such proceeding as this is blow at the
whole established business of insurance.
The unreasonableness of it is apparent.
Without undertaking to say, what we do not
know, that this company is in sound and
prosperous condition we shall not suspect
The contrary because of any thing that has
been done by Governor Buffers Commiss-
Toner. The affairs of the company will soon
be thoroughly and satisfactorily examined
by one in whose fidelity we have reason to
trust. He will report the real condition as
he finds it to be, and, whether good or bad
We shall not be deceived.
Some time ago the King of Spain made 8
visit to the Emperor of Germany and was
received at the German court with every
mark OF distinguished consideration. Later
he visited France and although courteously
treated by the President of the French re.
public, the people of Paris treated him with
exemplary indignity. The time has come
for Germany to return the call and the
Grown Prince of the Empire is on his way
10 Spain. OF course it is well understood
that this ceremony is irritating to France