The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-02-20
Information Wanted.
WATERBURY,, VT, February 18

WATERBURY, W., February IS, 1884.
Mr.. Editor 1T the management of the de-
funct Vermont Accident Association of Rutland
would condescend to crafty the mourners by
imparting little information as regards the
nature of the disease that caused so strong, Wig
orous and healthy an institution, as the manage
ment claimed that to be, to yield up its earthly
existence so suddenly, without kick or strug
gle, it would be very thankfully received. The
first intimation the friends relatives and sup
porters received that it was not enjoying its
usual good health, was notice of its death,
with invitation to attend the obsequies. On
careful inspection OF my notice Of death and
burial, it seems to imply that there is but one
man on the face of the earth possessing sufh-
cient brains, tact and ability to manage the
little giant and that man, by his incessant
labor in the interest of the family Of the de-
ceased, has impaired his vital powers so as to
render him totally unfit to perform the arduous
duties required to keep the little giant alive.
Not man to be found with sufficient calibre
to run that six-by eight institution! Too bad
When 1t was found there was no man to till the
ground, they made one. Gentleman, that is
altogether too thin. Why not, il you attempt
to give reason, give us facts; and why not
sign your names to the foolish reason you did
give? III the association was in a healthy and
prosperous condition, and with no financial
embarrassment you certainly had no moral
right to wind up the institution in the manner
adopted. 1t is doing injustice to the certificate
holders, and greater wrong to the agents, who
have worked in good faith believing they
were connected with men who would dsdain
to be party to dishonest transaction.
notice some OF the papers are eulogizing the
management for their honesty and sagaciiy in
winding up the institution, and are fixing
them up to slide out, with wreaths OF flowers
on their brows for their wonderful sagacity
and honesty; while the poor devil of an agent,
who has worked honestly for his bread and
butter, must stand all the kicks and cuffs of an
outraged community for entcing them into the
fool trap. Had they told us there was lack
OF membership, or the members failed to re-
spond when assessed, and they were forced to
suspend from such cause, majority would
have been satisfied; but to tell us the whole
cause Of the collapse was lack of brains and
energy to run the association, is crowdng the
mourners little too much. They tell us
they have looked after the interest OF their mis-
used poicy-holders in making such liberal
terms for their reinsurance in the United
States Mutual Accident Association of New
York. Now let US examine this philanthropic
move: The United States Mutual OF New York
policy-holders Of the Vermont Accident into
full communion, the United States Mutual re-
quires an advance assessment of two dollars
The company is prescribed by the Vermont
law from doing business in this state. In fact
there is fine OF one hundEed dollars for an
agent even to solicit an application for that
company within the borders OF good old Yer
mont. ] think they have no capital. GER
tificate-hoder living In Vermont could not en-
force the payment Of an honest claim without
going to New York to fight them A foreign
company, admitted and licensed to transact
business in this state, can be sued and the case
tried in this state, but this one cannot. And
then, again, II the worthy secretary, j. R.
Pitcher, should find his duties too great tax
upon his physical system, and should resign the
office OF secretary, and the state OF New York.
after careful investigation, be found in the
same condition as Vermont-without a man of
sufficient calibre TO run the insttution-it would
leave us in a bad fix again. And ] think the