The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-15
HIGH INSURANCE RATES.
THE HOUSE REOOMMITS TIE
WHITFIELD BILL.

tee-A Bill TO Limit the Sessions.
= ATLANTA, GA, July 14-The special
y. order in the House to-day was the 'insur-
ance bill' to prevent combinations or pools
of insurance companies or their agents. Il
; is Joint bill introduced simultan eously by
! Mr.. Whitfield in the House and Mr.. Sorrell
in the Senate. 1t came up Immediately
after the reading of the journal.
Mr. Lewis of Hancock offered substi-
tute voicing the opposition TO Mr.. Whit
fields bill.
Mr. Whitfield Of Baldwin made telling
argument for the bill He declared that he
had besn asked in the interest of the South
eastern Tariff association TO accept the sub
stitute now offered by Mr. Lewis that
provided for the appointment of an insur-
ance commissioner when there was already
such an officer, aud good one, elected by
the people. Mr.. Whitfield quoted the asso-
citation rates to show exorbi:ant charges
and discrimination. He declared that the
Southeastern Tariff Association was a
stronger and wealthier monopoly than the
West Point Terminal. They say" he con-
tinued, that If the association is broken
up host Of wild cat companies will begin
business. No company can do business in
Georgia without deposit Of $25, 600. They
say again that it viii kill out the home
companies to break up this association. Be-
fore this association was formed the home
companies flourished."
HAsKELL's FIGHT.
Mr.. Whitfield recalled the case Of ". W.
Haskell. au Atlanta insurance agent who
refused to go into the association. His bust
ness was boycotted, and by a concert of
action between the association companies he
was compelled to surrender. He referred
TO the arrest few months ago OF north
ern insurance agent who, in passing through
Atlanta, wrote out a few policies. "The
milk in the coooanut," said Mr. Whitfield,
lis not that these few policies were written,
but that they were lower than the association
rates His arrest was instigated by H. C.
Stockdell, agent for eighteen of these asso-
citation companies. Other instances OF the
intolerant and monopolistic spirit Of the as
| ISOLATION were shown.
Mr. Lewis of Hancock followed, opposing
the bill. His first point was that the Bill
was too iron clad; that, for example, it made
the insurance company give the same rate
to a man who had once been convicted of
burning his house as it gave to an honest
man.
ANIMUs OF THE BILL
He subscribed gracefully TO the anti
monopoly sentiments of Mr.. Whitfield, and
then took up the origin and nnimus of the
Dill. de said it was prompted by the spite
et 1. II. Howell, a cotton factor and COM
press man of Rome, who had persistently
| urged this bill in the legislature, beginning
several years ago. The sole object Of this
onl, he continued, is TO break up the
Southeastern Tariff Association" Il is ex-
pected In consequence TO lower the in
surauce rates in Georgia II all the in
surance business in Georgia were done un-
der the control Of the association there
would be logic in this course. but only one
| third OF IL is directed by the association.
He concluded by declaring that the passage
OF the bill would bring no practical relief.
Mr. Hardemen of Wilkes followed against
the bill. He said that the association was
not monopoly to raise rates, but to fix
and establish a fair rate.
MIR. Seay of Floyd had a few words to
| say In reply TO Mr.. Lewis about Mr.. Howell
of Rome. He declared that Mr.. Howell
was incapable of being unfair or malicious.
Mr.. Seay argued for the bill.
Mr.. Gilbert of Muscogee spoke against
the bill.
| PLEA FOR THE SUBSTITUTE
Mr.. Fleming of Richmond spoke for the
| Lewis substitute as against uhe original
bill. He suggested that the substitute
might be improved by vesting supervisory
powers in a committee instead Of one man.
Mr.. Bryan Of Floyd spoke for the bill aud
offers of a pscuniary benefit had been made
to certain people If they would withdraw
their influence from the support of the bill.
LOOKS LIKE COMMISSION.
Mr.. Graves of Newton Endorsed the plan
OF an insurance commission, and In order to
Incorporate this he wanted the bill recon-
United. The roll was called on the motion
70 recommit. 1t was carried: Ayes 80.
nays co. This probably means that com :
l V.NIa 60 .
win be created. An amendment Co this
effect was introduced by Mr.. Baxter OF
Bib, and goes to the finance committee
along with the bill and the substitute. 1t
contemplates a commission of three, the
controller general being ex-officio chairman.
The House then went into committee OF
the whole, Mr. Boifeuilet of Bib presid-
ing, TO consider resolution appropriating
$500 for the purchase of an OIL portrait Of
Gov. John Milledge. The committee recon-
mended that the resolution do not pass.
The House immediately adopted sug-
gestion TO recommit the resolution as a mat.
ter Of courtesy rather than kill it by direct
vote.
SENATORIAL REAPPoRTIoNMENT
Mr.. Jennings bill reapportioniug the
senatorial districts of the state in accordance
with the United States census of 1890 was
referred TO a committee of fifteen from the
House and eight from the Senate. This re-
quires the concurrence Of the Senate.
A resolution by Mr.. Martin of Fulton
, Dame up to extend certain recognition to
the Georgia Military Institute Company
The object of the movers in this is to estab-
l1sh a school upon the plan Of the old Geor-
gis Military Institute at Marietta. They
, asked that the students be inspected by
officers appointed by the governor, and
that upon graduation thsy be eligible to
appointment without further examination
to positions in the state militia. No appro-
priation was asked Messrs Atkinson of
Coweta and Sears of Webster opposed the
resolution. Is was lost-ayes 81, nays9.
Upon motion Of Mr.. Bolfeuillet a recess
OF ten minutes was taken as a courtesy to
the Georgia Weekly Pres, Association, and
q very pleasant Informal reception was had.
Speeches we're made by Hon. Alfred Her
; rlngton OF the Swainsboro Pine Forest.
President w. L. Under wood of the Camilla
Clarion, W. S. Coleman of the Cedartown
; Standard, and w. T. Newman of the Cans
; ton AdUdnce. Immediately after the House
reconvened motion to adjourn was car
, ried.
Incthe Senate
As soon as the Senate was convened this
morning the following resolution was intro
duced by Mr.. Nunnally:
: Resolved, That on tomorrow, July IS. the