The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-22
Farmers Mutual Insurance Company.

The report of the Kansas Farmer S
Insurance Company, for 1884, is before
us. Of the report itself we have moth
ing to say. But to this statement OF
the Editor of the Chronicle in regard to
that report. we feel it our duty to re-
ply. he says. I'VE do not see how af-
ter examining this report any candid
man can give credence to the reports
that have been made by some persons
that the officers of this company have
been disappointing the funds of the
company. when there is a detailed
statement of receipts and the accounts
on which they have been diSburSed,
and it is done in such way that it
ought to satisfy any man who is capa-
bic of understanding the nature of ac-
counts &C. We had remained silent
in regard to this report, had not this
public statement been made. But it is
simply absurd to ask men to have con-
fidence in a company whose practical
workings on their pocket books has
been disastrous, simply because "a
mountain in labor has produced list
of figures. Mr.. Hart ought to know
that any school boy can arrange a list
of figures that will look well. lie
knows that banks have made splendid
reports when they were not able to pay
ten cents on the dollar. Now we as
sert that the practical working of any
company or organization, must be the
test of its SOundneSS or cOrruptneSS.
We do not mean to say that the report
is incorrect, but we do mean to say
that the practical working of the COM
pany for the last two years has prOduc-
ed great dissatisfaction in the ranks of
its pOlicy-holderS. This dissatisfaction
l am warranted in saying. no array of
figures will allay. The officers of said
company had every reasonable OppOr-
tunity given them to restore confidence
before the public crisis came, but they
would listen to no petition. To every
appeal, they would simply assert all
was right without giving proof. Con-
sequently, on the 2Sth day of June
1884, the policy holders in convention
delegated a certain committee to inveS-
tigate the affairs of the company. The
committee made an effort to get at the
work of investigation, but failed. This
failure was not on the part of the COM
mittee. That committee is still ap-
pointed. 1t failed to get anything sat
iSfactory out of the officers and have
failed to make an official report to the
policy holders. The law requires that
all Mutual Insurance companies hold
an annual meeting of its stockholders, |
The objects of such a meeting are |
clearly stated. Now | ask, III all can
dor where, or when were these meet |
ngS held? In what paper or papers |
lid they publish a call for such meet
ing? Now, in view of this act of the |
disregard of law and the fact that the
policy holders are the legal and only
egal stock holders, and yet these legal
have never had voice i'll
he election of any of its Officiary, at
east not for the last two years, on what
ground do they ask our confidence? If
he officers of said company had dOEe
heir very best to bring the company
nto disrepute, they could have hit on
10 better plan than the one they have
pursued. We are tired reading figure
The books and papers of
he company are the property of the
and if they have no right
o investigate them when they think it
or the good of the institution, who has?
Who has the right to refuse such an in
Who are those men in
flee? Are they not the servants of
he policy holders? If they are then
hey are in duty bound to obey the will
f the policy holder. Then this COM
any has continued to assess individu-
Is WHO have paid all dues and whose
oIicies have been Cancelled. Does such
company merit respect? They should
@ ashamed to ask it. The way out of
heir trouble is easy enough. But they
rill not. More as opportunity arises.
SAMUEL PALMER.