The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-11-07
S0N ALTMAN 4 Journal.
WEDNESDAY,, NOVEMBER 7, 1894.


IL YVES hhpNy company Oh ne keehesl
and most ective body Of men to be found
within the borders Of the Green Mountain
State that assembled in the Pavilion par.
Tors at eight o'clo,k on Thursday evening.
To the music of the Howard Opeia House
Orchestra, stationed in the cen er OF the
tastpfully arranged diuing hall, these eighty
members of the Vermont Life Underwriters,
headed by President j A. Wellman and
Governor Woodbury., marched to the
heavily loaded tables. Grace was offered
by Chaplain Haynes OF the senate. The
company then TUNED its attention TO the
bill of fare, Vbich must be classed as a nov
city. Ii was in the 81 ape Of small book,
and upon every one of the eleven pages was
seen Vern ont's coming state flower, the
clover. when the company had satisfied
the inner Uan," cigars were Lighted aud
the post rsrdia exercises were opened by
President Wellman, who made an ideal
1CasimaSer. He extended royal greeting
In bella of the Vermont Life UnderU rittrs.
when Daniel Webster delivered the ora
Yton al The laying of the cornerstone Of the
Bunker Hin monument, he predicted that
America would reach high position among
the nations of abe world At that time
there was little life insurance business
transacted in America, but little later
twelve companies began The work. The
cornerstone of life il surance in America
may be said TO have begun with The laying
of the Bunker Hill monument. We are all
proud of the policy holders of Vermont. As
the representative of these people, he
wished 10 introduce the man who received
so large majority at the polls in Srptem
ber-G overnor Woodbury.. The governor
was given hearty round Of applause
Governor Woodbury. said: 1T Is not
often that laymen have the privilege of talk
ing to life insurance agents, hence we value
the opportunity more fully. When ! was
twenty-eight 1 took my first life in 'ursnce
policy, which was In the New England Nh
tua. 1t was for $4,000. when l was fifty
/ found it had paid me three per cent com
pound interest [applause AT one time life
Insurance agents wer9 not looked upon with
much favor He is now looked upon rs
matter of business. All gentlemen listen to
agents. have been reading the early his
tory of Vermont, written by Ira Allen in
1893 We are grateful to those men who led
bur commonwealth from a state of chaos
aud war to one of peace. The first New
Hampshire grants were issued bv q )vernor
Wentv orth to Bennington in 1749, and in
1868 TO Burlington and others The COVER
no. of New York la cl aim to these grants,
and regrantad many of them. Vermont was
an independent nation FRI m III unit adj
mitted INFO the union She was the first
state TO declare her independence. We are
indebted TO such men as Ira Allen, Thomas
Chittenden, Stephen Bradley and Jonas
Fay for our statehood. We should revere
the memory of such noble ancestors. | be-
lieve that bio ID tells in human beings as in
the animal kingdom" Applause
j. A. DeBoer of the National Life Com
pany said; Several weeks ago your chair
man undertook TO commit me to a dry adj
dress for this occasion, but, understanding
that distinguished guests were 10 be here, |
did not propose to give an analysis of The
insurance business. But / am thankful for
the invitation he here. Five years ago
this Association of Underwriters was organ
lied. Five years ago l began my connec-
ton with one branch of the business. Five
years ago ! broke bread with you. Tonight
l commend your work under its able presi-
dtnts-W liicomb, Childs, Smalley, and
Wellman. [Appause] Colonel Ransom If
Boston, The father of these associations,
once laid to me, Il like the men Of Vermont
and their method Of doing business There
is no state in the union where agents have
10 work SO hard to accomplish anything as
III Vermont. So say We Can always rely
upon plenty Of reserve force. Here are
gathered the most honorable colaborers and
com oetiors. A man once said to me, ~ on
insurance men do not teach insurance,
Well, do The people understand the law,
theology, or medicine? j think not; but
they learn by experience and il is the anne
with lie insurance. | was very much i'm
pressed with scene which occurred in
front of the Massac husetts state house some
time ago. had be fore that seen Governor
GTeenhalge address a large audieuce in
front of cur own state house in the face of a
thunder storm; but on this occasion he had
TO face II Oh that had rushed across Bos'
ton common and demanded that the com
mOnwealth give them work. Later in the
evening | heard Governor Greenhalee be.
fore the Boston Underwriters, and believe
that the social condition of our people rests
largely with the insurance men, for life in.
sUrance is redistribution Of value.
think that, in the future, life insurance mel
will have to change tactics, and make il
positive rather than negative Applause /
DR.. A. p Grinnell was introduced as The
Chauncey M Depew of Vermont. He said
/ am glad to come and eat the provisions
but feel much embarrassed 10 be asked &c
speak TO SO distinguished an assembly. | an
always glad to meet the life insurance
agent There was a time when men went
into life insurance business when every
thing else failed. There is no fraud between
agents ard medical examiners. 1t is
much more difficult thing to say man il
healthy than that he is unsonnd. No mar
who W as in the late war is in perfect health
When a man wants life insurance he hides
his disease. No man can better understand
the ability Of a physician than an,agent, anC
he should be allowed to have voice in til,
selection of the medical examiner. Life in
surance with me is a matter of business
W. j. Van Patten, mayor OF Burlington
responded for the policy holder He said
" Insurance agents have found my veal
point. | believe in life insurance, When
went abroad, took an accident policy, fo
brella. When he has 1t with him, rain sci
dom comes. / went across the continen
twice and over the ocean; up the rugged
mountain and returned to America nm
harmed. Ii l remember Alright, those whC
hold large policies live 10 good old age
[Applause] From business standpoint
we should take lifeinsurance. often won
der at the ingenuity of agents. They
always have policy TO fit any place Wha
grand army of men the policy holder.
would make. May your business prosb
State Treasurer Field was introduced al
Que of the insurance commissioners of tn,
state. He said: " Four toings are essentia
in life iusurance-fdelity of administra
ton, economy in management, fairness o
contract, and promptness of payment. A
visitor to Washington was being show
through the senate, and the guide said I,
him, The senator who has just finishe,
speaking was once page here Yes,
said the visitor, = but L should think he wa
volume Lest you may think the sam
of me, / will conclude with this little skit:
Let good health and life endure
Not fail and darken FER
Before am quite quite sure
There's some one to insure me.