Middletown transcript., 1891-03-19
Thursaay Afternoon, March ~, =.
A COMMUNICATION.
MR. NEwros P. West,

Mr.. NEWTON P. WEST,
Editor THE NEW ERA, Philadelphia
MY DEAR SIR:--There has been 50
much recently in the papers Of Lh =.
nosures" of beneficial orders :, 1ne
plans Of which are somewhat similar
to our own, that / feel called on 70
make some explanation Of my view sYs.
Of the situation. l am frequently
impressed with the patron,zlDg anu
nsthet;o manner in which the news
paners make themselves the cham
Mons Of the "poor deluded dupes
who ioin these beneficial orders. lnsy
espo1se the public's cause 50 warmly,
and are 50 solicitous for their patrons.
welfare, apparently, yet there Is
frequently evidence that the space
allotted 70 the exposure" has been
well paid for by persons directly or
indirectly interested in old line IN
surance. =
The exposures" referred to are
generally a vivid display of ignor-
snce Of the subject under consldera-
tion. there being evidence Of little or
M actual and careful investigation
having been made.
There are, no doubt. grounds Tor
complaint Of some orders and societies
which are apparently organized for
- s.l1 L,,r,,nsa az henefitinr and en-.
riching a few grasping individuals,
who care little where the money
comes from, 60 thati it comes IN, and
care nothing whether any OF it gets
out again in the proper channels. The
Annual Benefit Society is composed
of men of sterling integrity, straight
forward, energetic, and capable, who
will look we'll to the interests of their
patrons from sense of honor as we'll
as for continuance of their own sub.
sequent success. H
The plan is safe, equitable, and
honest, and cannot be adversely critic
cised by intelligent people who have
made thorough investigation OF all its
workings. ***
The writers Of these articles all take
especial exception to this, and call it
robbing a member to take his money
from him, then expel him, and give
him no return. fl should give a
contract to build q house and stipulate
that it shall be built within a requir-
ed time, otherwise a penalty be exact
ed from the builder, and he signs the
contract with the full knowledge Of
his requirements, then | must bold
him strictly 10 the terms Of the agree.
ment. He may fail to complete the
house within the required time. and
if he does, then I have the right to
exact the penalty from him, and do
SO as matter of business. Though
he may fail in his contract from un-
fortunate circumstances or careless
ness, my position is the same, and |
accept the penalty from him as my
" right" and do not feel that I have
made myself sharper and thief by
doing so. 4 The bank must
constantly receive new depositors and
new discounts, the doctor receive new
patients, the mills new raw materials
and new machinery, and the insurance
companies new policy holders. It
is the old or outgoing material to be
replaced by new, and we must have
this renewal in the Annual Benefit
Society just as we find it n ecessary in
all other trades and business as well
as in nature. Our society is growing
stronger every day, and each month
we have a report Of the benefit fund,
steadily increased since the previous
report, and by the time the year rolls
around we hope for an accumulation
of nearly one million dollars" This
immense sum will be held in trust for
the benefit Of those members who 60
later into the society, and, if it is
possible (without levying too many
assessments), to pay the certificates as
they mature from the assessments
called; this reserve amount will not
be touched, but will still remain in
tact for the protection Of its members.
It will be kept for the "last man"
and l propose to keep my member
ship good in the Annual Benefit
Society in the hope that may some
day prove to be that lucky individual.
Do not be afraid to bring your
friends in now because they will not
be among the first and "on the
ground floor" The Annual Benefit
Society was only an experiment at
irst and you did" run some risk in
dining, but now it is proven and
established success and there i
no risk.
Yours in A. B. and S.,
N-r Crr,un