New-York tribune., 1891-05-04
EW.JERSEY AFFAIRS.
THE SPECULATIVE BENEFICIAL ORDERS.
NECESSITY FOR REGULATING THEM = THE
PRINTING OF LAwS-NEwARK's WATER
sUPpLY-LABoR DIFFICULTIES.

SUPPLY-LABOR DIFFICULTIES.
Trenton, n. j., May 3-The new state Commissioner
of Insurance is likely to have his hands full in resu-
atng and subduing tho speculative beneficial orders
which have sprang up all the State. There have
been some notorious failures lately and attention has
been attracted TO these concerns with special force
that account but the necessity OF action already ex-
isted. Before the law changed last winter and
o commission with no other duties than to look after
state banks and insurance companies appointed,
thcre he'd been considerable criticism of these socaed
orders. Secretary Kelsey, who then Commits
sioner, as we'll as many other things, was urged to
act. but did nothing definite probably expecting the
change which subsequently made. Tho new
Commissioner is hardly seated comfortably before he
is compelled to take up the matter. lie has promised
to act promptly and thoroughly. though he is nat
urslly cautious in defining policy which will lead
him into labyrinths from which IL is rather difficult
to say where he viii emerge.
The speculative concerns have many names and
veil themselves in air of mystery. Their offers
arc prodgiousy liberal. Payments Of 800 in q year
to realize $0o, and the promoters talk with rare
learning Of lapses and bood,' and prepared
with actuery statistics that would parayze Fellow
Of Harvard 1t IS possible that they do not deceive
as much as would appear, but that many ignorant
persons cheated, and that the managers make
fat thing of it, goes without saying. These concerns
have certain legal standing. There are laws for
the incorporation of BENEVOLENT societies which let
them in and give them q certain standing. The Com
missioner Of Insurance make them surrender their
charters If complaint be made and the case proved,
or he may act upon his own motion. The laws are
not efficient as they should be in the matter OF
supervision, and need Improvement.
One difficulty met in handling the speculative orders
Is found in the great need Of caution lest the large
number OF beneficial orders OF recognized merit be in
Iured They have had great popularity in New
Jersey and many thousands of persons In the State
have other insurance. They under state con
troll and have ample guarantees, and some of them
maintain reserves for policy holders, although the
assessment method is used. They have done good
work, and while the principle has been attacked at
times they have not been accused of any deception,
and their management Is notably enterprSing and
economical There were twenty-four members Of the
House Of Assembly last year who were counted as
actively connected with ceSc associations, and the
ranks include large number OF prominent and careful
citizens IL is OF course vastly important that In
raiding the speculative organizations, the safe ana
rustw ortny soceties should be amply prOtected and
that the public should clearly undeIs tand the dis
cI1miaton. The STATE Commissioner thoroughly recOg
nizes II and is prepared 10 exercise the necessary eau
ton II is probable that the whole subject will come
up for review the next session of tie Legislature,
and some legislation similar to that OF Massachusetts
The newspapers that are to print the session laws
were named b. the commission consisting Of the Uov-
ernor secretary Of state and Controller last week.
The three officials Democrats and the selection Of
the papers being practically unlimited by law, they
have worked their own sweet will They have desig-
mated number Of Republican papers, still more Demo
cratic papers, and have included some independent
papers, claiming some reputation for fairness BY
calmly labelling them Republican. plan Of CIV
ing the printing to the twenty papers OF largest crcu
tOn Is warmly advocated.
The work on the water supply for Newark in the
PequannOck River Valley has been vigorously resumed
By the contractors who have something like l,2UJ
men engaged the reservoirs and in laying pipe The
reservoir sites have been cleared of underbrush and
ceansed OF vegetable matter to some extent the stand
ard Oil pipe line has been removed distance,
to avert this danger, and the work OF finishing the
dams is in progress. The work is not at all difficult
and could be finished in short time with little more
energy and enterprise. The dangers OF pollution at
the OF supply small and do not require much
TO avert hem but this little has been rather neglected
50 far though additional purchases Of land could be
made at any time and may be still. The quantity OF
water seems to be abundant II the work goes along
rapidly during the summer and fall the task may be
completed by December next, and in such Newark
would probably accept it then, instead OF in May 1872
when the contract calls for lis completion The con
tractors would thereby at secure 900 OF the
total of 6000000 which is to be paid, and thus save
$50 900 in interest Newark would probably prefer to
pay the interest rather than continue drinking the
Passaic water.
The strikes are Increasing in number and there is
uneasiness in all parts OF the state The carpenters
desperate struggle, IL Is feared. 1t Is especially un
fortunate now, because there is disposition TO build
and invest money In real estate ana mortgages WHICH
leads TO permanent improvements
The summer movement toward the country mas DC,
gun. The country places of wealthy New orkeTs ana
Jerseymen are being prepared for their OWhers anu
some OF them are already occupied.