New-York tribune., 1886-01-01
JOHN A. McCALLS NEW POST.
HOW HE is PRAISED ON ALL SIDES.

with the department and OF the community generally
which has recognized IN Mt MSGa oc,s wPoss re-
tirement is loss TO the state service Inc very
adyantaSeo1s To- be declined and our regret his
tirement is Intensified by the faet mat Albany WIZ
lose valued citizen. Mr: McVa WIN M 0spted that
his is the best exemphoaton of the results y. oo
Mo- Sr cniereG he Office poor Young man with
hope for preferment except that which ms ~
department under both Republican and Democraue az o.
mins,ratons, and has been promoted from poso& 10 ~
position until Governor CeyelanPs appointment 4i M h
as head of the department became natural and neVtaoe
If merit to govern the appointing power.
The Albany Express remarks:
The state has lost a we-trained and most valuable
public officer in the resignation OF Insurance Snpern-
teudent John A. Mccall, jr. Mr.. Mccall mas heu he
filled Ion enough justify the estimate OF tne OOV
in accepting his resgnaton that inc IN d
stration, the very best In the country. Mr. hcoal
the service Of the Insurance Department as
boy and reached his present position through successive
promotions from the lowest rank in that once since he
has become superintendent his reports have Deen us 10
tInc and valuable contributions to the literature OF III
IIe has been fearless straightforward 1 sn1
thoroughly honest IN the performance OF MS dntes anu
official oppression. Mr.. Mccall has acquired IN tnis
city of his birth warm and lasting frendshps III ny;
without adventtious ADVANTAGES. and has won MS way
by solid merit and integrity OF character we are PEou
OF him as an Albany boy and all Of congratulate him
heartily hts appointment to the highly responsipie
ana weil-pad position OF Controller Ot tno EquaOie
Life Assurance Society of the United States.
The following is from The Albany ATgns:
From the beginning the insurance companies under.
stood the ncOrruptbe character or the superintendent
OF Insurance and his hrm determination 10 De lust anu
impartial In all the delicate questions frequently submit
ted TO his judgment ANA decision The fespectaDe anu
responsible companies desrous only Of conducting their
principles, hailed the selection made by
Governor Cleveland when on the i6th OF Aprl loso,
ne sent the OF John A. Mccall, Jr to the Senate
and that Dody instantly and unanimously confirmed ne
nomination It Is needless here to refer at ength 70 ne
condition OF the Insurance Department when Mr mccall
assumed control of it, The cyl repue attached TO Il
to look upon II with confidence ana nope IN ltS useIu
ness No department In the state Government mas Deeh
managed with cOnsummae skln, tact ana FAIRNESS
HaapnS the ony TensbIe iueth.d of securing Mr Me-
CAs valuable OF the largest OF the cOmpa
Mes the Equitable Life. oicred him the attractive P0
son OF Controller at Il nunifccnt salary and with such
extended opportunities for displaying his exceptloDaI
abtcs that he could resist the flatteriug offer
Hence his letter Of resignation. which appears In an
Governor Ii The reply OF the GovcrnorI equally ap
preciave and is testimonial 10 official worth ana H.
tegrty that any one may be proud or
The AibaHy Times comments "a follows:
He earned his promotions purely through his own
with him ia politics Tho deputyship was conferred
upon him by Acting superintendent william smyth In
tendeuts John +. smyth and Charles G. Farman until
April %, 1883, when Governor Cleveland nominated
him for Superintendent and he confirmed by the
senate the place which he now resigns His qualh,
cations thoroughly practical and largely techncA
~ to the duties but he had naturally excellent ju1g-
ment which stood him In good stead relative 10 the
many legal ana judicial hn ., ms pce ah hs
chose as hts assistants.
The Albany Press says:
Mr.. Mccall Will become Controller OF the Equitable
Ilfe Assurance society OF New.Yo at salary Of
Sij. 900 per aDnum 10 Is needless to say n wOrd OF
comIneuddtion OF Mr.. Mccall Commencing az sub
ordinate In the department. yearsago. his promotion was
aud rapid until he reached the highest posi-
the office with n reputation for integrity and ability
second to that 81 none OF the able gentlemen who nave
the good wishes OF host OF friends In Albany
and elsewhere.
The Aibany Union publishes the following:
Every young can see In the snccess OF John A.
Mccall who retres with honor ard credit from tho
Insurance Department To accept position OF greattrlst
and emoument In the city OF New-fork. the rewards
which may follow energy, sound honesty and Close
application Mr.. Mccall his spurs entirely him.
tho advantages OF wealth aud proud position push
him along but on the contrary he had TO win hi, way
thOroughues. lie ia preemineotly self made man
" worship his creator" lilo Is today as quiet. I'M
enaons and approachabe rs when no started III the
humble capacity OF a small ssaricd clerk.
The insurance journals unite with the daily press In
earnest Endorsements OF Mr. McCalrs abilities the
OF insurance matters.
The Spectator pays him this tribute:
II was announced Monday by dispatch from
Albany that John a. Mccall jr. had rendered his resig
OF the office OF superintendent OF Insurance. to
take effect December 81 aud Tuesday the statement
ton and Governor Hilrs response thereto This cor
rcsponience Will In found IN other columns OF this issue
II Is further stated that Mr. Mccall has accepted the
position OF Controller OF the Equitable Life Association
at "a salary OF $4,000 year for term OF ten
years Confirmation ia thus gwen to what has been an
omen secret for time. and las been commented
upon In an indirect manner by me spectator and other
has in receipt OF salary OF $1,000 year he long
% @ Of that and t is not surprs
ing therefore, that he has finally determined TO accept
one of the many lucrative positions that have been
tendered him. Mr.. Mccall is thoroughly verscd in all
matters pertaining to insurance, IS good executive
officer and Is thoroughly trustworthy Such men are In
demand in the Insurance business and he will he worth
the thousands OF policyhoders interested In
snperintendent OF Insurance. The political atmos
phero OF tho State department has never been |
to him removed from It, II expected that his
retirement wond not occur until the expiration OF his
term OF office spring. but he doubtless felt that IL
would be satisfactory to resign now and give Gov
ernor Ill an opportunity to n tho vacancy at the be-
cnarge the offices at Albany. The Governor desired
ness to reappon him. but a: he had made up his mind
retire, he gives the Governor an opportunity 10 COM
good wishes OF tho entire Insurance fraternity will ac
company Mr. Mccall In his new position. The Equitable
Life to be congratulated IN having made such yalua
BILE acquisition to Its corps OF able officers
The Reriep entertalns similar sentiments. 1t says
The authoritative announcement that Insurance su
Mccall would not DO candidate for reap
pontment ut the end OF his term has been received with
regret by the insurance fraternity generally. WHILE
avail t.ef Of Mr Mccals remarEable executive | ab
" and experience tho efec, on general inter
superintendent; Althoush OF pronounced political
times he has never allowed politics psrti,anship to
Influence his opinions action I'm insurance matters
He has the most ouispoken ard yet most i'm.
partial. orloal Of a the Insurance Superntendents
Now York has had. Nothing political or mercenary
swerved him from what be thought his duty say
or DO And, for this reason both the underwriters and
the public have had faith In him His appointment was
received general acclamation that ought to
made .his retirement will be considered public mis-
fortune.
The Weekly STIR said OF Mr. Mccall before tho an.
1Ouncement OF his resignation had been made
Tho ability which he has displayed since he has been
N the Insurance Department has evidenced a very |
marked talent for the business OF underwriting. and
should enttle him to better compensation than that
v hich the state OF NewYOrk pays its Insurance
superintendent. II Mr.. Mccall should seek such com
,ensation else ewhere Now York underwriters must
emember while rcgrettng the Grea loss he would
% the department where his reputation has been
narkabe honesty and square dealing IL IL nothing
more than any OF them would do under similar cir
,umstances.