The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-07-10

From Former Journalist and Policy
Holder and General Agent of the New
York Life,

From Former Journalist and Polie,
Holder and General Agent OF the New
York Life,
BENNINGTON, vt, July I'd, S01.-Trol
Press, Publishers, and ProprietOrs
MEssRs, 1 beg, most respectfully, "a
demand that you cease to send into the
Stitc of Vermont Copies of your Jour
nal (the Troy Press), containing the ia,-o
and defamatory accusations, Stated to DO
copied from the New York Times, against
the management of the New York Life
Insurance Company, which libellous
statements are actiOnable, at law, and,
under the circumstances of the pending
examination by the Insurance Depart
ment of the State of New York of the
allegations referred to, are unworthy of
reputable journalism. AS former jour
nalist, as well as from my relations with
the Company, and with the business of
Life Insurance, have right to demand
immunity from the false and injurious
allegations of the Troy Press.
Yours Truly,
A. p. CHILDs, Policy Holder
and Gen'l Agent for Vermont of the New
York Life ms Co Chairman Elk Com
vt. Life underwriters.
1t is not the disposition of the Troy
Press to give publicity to inaccurate
statements, and we give Mr.. Childs's
communication prominent place. But
we must decline to comply with his re
spectful demand" to abolish our extern
siye circulation in Vermont. ''False,"
"defamatory," "libellous' with three
ls) and 'actionable'' are questionable
words to use in a respectful note. 1t is
fair to presume that since the exposures
of embezzlements ON the part of the New
York Life's agents collections for re-
newals have been slow. Mr.. Childs, a
former Journalist, policy holder, general
agent and chairman of the executive
of underwriters, may pay his
premiums promptly as they become due,
but the thousands of other policy holders
who are wondering what the outcome of
the investigations in progress and those
to follow and the million dollar libel suit
against the Now York Times NAV be.
probably are not as prompt. Boss Tweed
gave no evidence of trembling in his
shoes" until the bottom facts were di-
vulged, and then he skipped by the light |
Of the moon. For the benefit of all
policy holders we sincerely trust the |
affairs of the New York Life may turn |
out all right 1t is an immense trust
company, handling millions belonging to |
depositors, whose principal
aim has been to provide for loved ones.
Reputable newspapers will continue to
expose embezzlements and mismanage- |
ment wherever unearthed regardless of
Respectfully demands or threats of |
agents. Mr.. Childs should have faith in
MS own company, and he can afford to
await the result of investigations, and
other policy holders will be obliged to
10 so; but in the meantime all newspa-
pers having the interest of the latter at
heart will increasingly and unsparingly
publish facts as they are revealed by the
New York Times, the State of New York
md all others engaged in the good work
If investigation.-Tr Daily Press, July
Tth, 1891.
The above is one of the contributions
owards the literature of the discussion
low going on in the newspapers, and ex-
plains itself.