Connecticut western news., 1884-04-02


 THE Tobacco Growers Mutual Insur- ance company held their annual meeting for the election of officers, on Saturday, the 29th of March. The meeting was largely attended, and notwithstanding the fact that the last season was an ex- ceptionally trying one to insurers, be- cause of the heavy losses sustained by the company, and the consequent neces- sity tor an assessment of the premium notes, there was hearty and unani- < nous indorsement of this organization S of tobacco growers for mutual protec- tion against damage by hail to the grow ing crop.
 This company has done business four years and has paid all claims in full and to the entire satisfaction of those insur- CTS who have been so unfortunate as to have their tobacco damaged or ruined by hail.
 The season of 1883 was undoubtedly the most disastrous to the tobacco crop from hail alone, of all the years during the history of tobacco growing on this continent; this company having had as many as twenty-five losses in single day, and the fact of their being able, through iudicious management, to pay all losses occurring in such an extraor- dinary season, establishes the company on sound basis and commends it to the patronage of every thoughful and intel igent grower of tobacco.
 It is no longer an experiment. It has evidently come to stay. When the company was first organized, the insur- ! ance of tobacco against damage by hail was a new idea, which had never been put into practical operation and like all new projects, especially if they have any merit in them, 1t was met in many in- stances with hesitation, distrust and the ominous shake of the head. The croak- CTS predicted its speedy failure, but it has passed through most severe ordeal perhaps the critical period in its exist ence, and it is not dead yet.
 It has at least been shown that tobacco insurance is of great practical importance to tobacco growers. and that 1t can be successfully accomplished.
 The officers who initiated and inaug- erated this company were of course without practical experience in this particular business and 1t would not have been strange had they made some mistakes. It would have been still more marvellous if they had not met with the criticisms and oppositions of the chronic fault-fnders. But notwithstanding all the difficulties and unfavorable circum- stances they have had to contend with, they seem to have conducted the busi- with intelligence, prudence and energy.
 The object of insuring tobacco in this company IS the same as any insurance. The company agree to protect the in- sured against certain losses and for this protection he agrees to pay certain equivalent consideration. The note he gives. is not given as an investment which is to be returned with interest and dividends, but as qaid pro quo. He has received the value of his premi- nm by the company assuming the risk. This main object this company has met in every instance. All losses have been paid in full, and the company has therefore fulfilled all their contracts, and the main object of it's organization.
 THE riot ct Cincinnati has been quel- led, and business resumed, yet the city will be guarded until tomorrow. The latest reports state that 39 persons were killed, and 120 known to be wounded, but the slightly wounded went to their homes and their number cannot be ascertained.
 William Berner, the self confessed murderer of William H. Kirk, last De cember, has been on trial at Cincinnati. Two weeks were occupied in securing a jury, and nearly two weeks in taking the evidence and summing up the case. The defence vainly tried to shut out the damaging confessions of the prisoner. Last Friday the jury rendered a verdict of manslaughter. Judge Matthews re- marked to the jury that the verdict was an outrage" Public sentiment was in favor of hanging the murderer and an indignation meeting called by the leading citizens was attended by 10000 people. No inhamitory speeches were made, but resolutions were passed con. dening the verdict, and on the adjourn. ment of the meeting, the crowd, led by few rash men proceeded to the jail, determined to lynch Berner. From that time riot commenced, with results as above, stated Berner had been remov' ed fnpm the jail to Columbus, but the rioters were not aware of this. They nearly destroyed the jail, burned the Court house, and destroyed hun dreds of thousands of dollars worth o property.