St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-06
MARRIAGE NOE,

A FlourishinD Enterprise in Sam Fran
cisco---SoDe Evidence that Insurers mag
be disappointed.
For three yerrs past, says the San Fran
cisco Chronicle, there has been in existence in
this city concern which styles itself the
sUniyersal Benevolent association of Cali
fornia for unmarried PERSONS" a sort Of mu-
tual insurance and endowment company,
paying to its members benefit, not at death,
but in the event of that other calamity, mar
rage. It was incorporated In 1881, and has
since then done fourishing business, per-
suasive circulars headed, 'Loss to members
impossible" or sAll certificates non-forfeit-
able," together with a host of agents, being
successful in getting many people to join its
membership. Its pamphlets further give as
as references such well known
MN as P. J. White, W. T.
Wallace, J. A. johnson, j. K. Luttrell, John
g. Downey, Michael Kane and others, and
as the association has in fact paid various
sums of money to members upon marriage,
the task of obtaining recruits has not been
very great. Nevertheless, the association
has lately been in little trouble, caused by
falling behind in its payment Of marriage
insurance, as the members had become tired
of paying assessments, and then the man
agement came magDanimously to the front
with the offer to pay all outstanding claims if
the members would consent to pay back the
amount in subsequent assessments. This
brought several letters of inquiry to the
Chronicle, accompanied by some Of the well
worded pamphlets, as a result of which a re-
porter undertook to inquire into the system
r 10 nit
sociation's method Of doing business.
WHERE THE MONEY GOES.
He found the Office Of the concern in a
private house at 1898 Mission street, the
parlors of which had been converted into a
business bureau. E. c. Tully, its president
and general manager, was as benevolently
ready to furnish all desired information as
if he were managing missionary fund.
Mr. Tully's first act was to put into the re-
porter's hand printed paper containing
statement Of the marriage fund for May,
1884. 1t showed the total receipts since the
incorporation to be $40, 69s.25, of which
sl37, $500 had been paid for marriage en-
dowinents, leaving balance of 81, 1865 in
the treasury. The remaining s713.61 was
accounted for as expenses for May collec-
lions, the association deducting 10 per cent.
for that purpose from all receipts. Conse-
quently the entire 10 per cent on the
amount collected from assessments is little
over s15, 300. This sum, Mr.. Tully ex-
planned, was intended to cover the cost Of
collection.
ssThis is the best thing in insurance yet
DEVISED he added. '.It Is cheaper, far
cheaper, than the old line business"
The reporter then asked the number of the
members in good standing.
'sWe have issued about 10, $50 $1,000
memberships" proudly replied Mr.. TulIy.
each membership pays an initiation fee
of So, does it notl' asked the reporter.
That makes ss1, 400. What has become of
thatl''
s'Ahem,u answered Mr. TuIly, slightly
embarrassed. 1.-THE memberships are
mostly double; that is. one member has
two memberships, aud pays an initiation fee
of only s12 for the two.n
(Which makes $50, 900,'' said the repor-
ter. '.Where is that accounted forg'
ssOh, that has nothing to do with the mem
bers,'' replied Mr.. fully. at goes to the
association tor expenses-D
ssYour annual dues are 81 for each double
membership, which, at 10, $50 single mem
bers, makes $50, 40 year; where does that
gol'' continued the reporter.
ssOh, you are mistaken " said Mr. Tully.
I'VE hare not 1880 members. Half Of