The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-02
Buffers Attack on the Union Mu-
tual,

Governor Butler in spec ch at Wakefield,
Mass, on Wednesday evening, read paper
which he said was the same presented to the
Governors Council containing his reasons
for requiring the resignation of Insurance
Commissioner Clarke. These reasons as
given were that he had specially commended
companies which did not deserve commend
alton and methods Of insurance which in
his judgment were unwse and unsafe.
Among the companies commended by Mr..
Clarke was the Union Mutual Life Insur-
ancc Company OF this State, concerning
which Governor Butler makes some state
ments which coming from anybody else,
would demand serious attention. But his
statements made to further political aim
were long since discovered to be utterly I'M
trustworthy. He seems to have constitu-
tional inability to tell either the exact truth
or the whole truth when he has political
motive to do otherwise. He woald pervert
the facts concerning any Insurance Com
pany with reckless disregard of justice or
rights If 1t suited his purpose, and we have no
question that he has done so in this instance.
One of the reasons we have for thinking
30 is that about the time this paper is said
to have been submitted to the Council he
made communication to the Legislature
saying that in his own knowledge some
Massachusetts companies were in an unsafe
condition and ought not to be allowed to
continue business. He made this statement
in connection with request to the Legisla-
ture to authorize him to appoint additional
officers in the Insurance Department. He
wanted places for some political friends.
The request was not granted. 1t is known
that the companies supposed to have been
referred to by him have been thoroughly ex-
amined by his new Commissioner with the
result that they were found to be in excel
lent condition, and the Governors town
knowledge was mistaken and imaginary.
President Dewitt of the Union Mutual
Company is now out of the city. A report
or Of the PRESS called upon Hon. ]. H.
Drummond, one of the Directors, yesterday
afternoon. He declined to say anything for
publication at this time, in reply to allega-
tions made public in a political stump
speech, saying that it would be time enough
to take notice of Governor Buffers state
ments after the Massachusetts, election. The
report of conversation with him in the
Advertiser of last evening he said was "not
quite correct" although its errors were of
course unintentional. He declined to make
any corrections of that interview which
he said was not intended for pub
licstion. While the company will
take its own time for replying
and the public must wait on its pleasure in
this regard, it is well to remember that
nothing Is safe or sacred from the selfish
malevolence of Governor Butler, and he
makes no scruple of slandering any per-
son or institution in the accomplish
ment Of his political aims. Nothing is
80 honorable that he will not defame it,
nothing SO pure that he will not traduce it,
nothing so just that he will not betray it, if
thereby he can secure votes and power. He
is such character that his statements on
all subjects may safely be disbeleved until
they are confirmed by better authority
Without either honor or shame he deserves
neither confidence nor respect.