Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-02-21

do something this week, but 1t is not
believed they can accomplish anything.
II is extremely doubtful IL the fac
tons can be united. If they can be,
considerable time will DO required to
effect the union.
Both Higgins and Addicks representa-
tiyes are making frequent pilgrimages
to Washington.
The Republican member of tho Legls-
laturc who told THE GAzETTE's cor
respondent that "EigSins will not be
ra-olecsed;" that "Higgins went once,
accidentally, to the Senate, but will not
60 there aEain;" that "Rcpublicans
arc tired Of Higgins" that "the Massey
men would no to Addicks or to Wolcott
before they would go to Higgins" and
tina. "@len the Democrats vote solldly
fn- cnc msn there will be sliding OF
Republican votes to that man" has be-
come Disguised by the failure of the Re-
puh,icans TO elect United States 6ena-
tor. When he delivered the above
uttsraGce he was shot under the collar"
"Deynu moan what you say 2" he was
asssd. ~ do" he replied. Ills words
were emphasized by Fash of the eyes
and his tone and manner were such as
to leave 10 room Cor doubt.
ppMooa4Ts 10 CONFER.
The Democratic Assemblymen at last
rasiiss the importance of unity and have
dsciGed e hold conference Tomorrow
afternoon. rhe tian who entered Chan
color Wo,cott IN the Senatorial contest
sssst foI It, and the entire Democratic
deiosa;iaa aas ptomised TO sstead.
Whon accepting the invitation TO be-
prsicr. Representative Mustard gave his
nltimatUn-thai nc will not vote for
Ohancellor Woloolt. In an Interview
this afternoon re ssid:
IL hsvca': anything against Chancel-
Tor Wo!coit. will not vote for any
Kens couatian, n, least not now. There
sFs too many men in Kent county who
wan: 20 be candidates. am willing TO
Yots for any man in New Castle or Sils-
Sex county, any man who is qualified
for the Senatorship. Mr.. Tunnel is not
a candidate. He does not want the
Office and would not accept it. Take
either New Castle or Sussex county
first and Kent second.
INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS REPORT.
Representative Killen presented to the
House the biennial report of Insurance
Commissioner Peter X. Meredith,
During 1893. it says, 9S insurance
companies were authorized to do bust
ness In this State--59 fire, 90 life, @
assessment, 10 casualty and guarantee
and 0 accident insurance companies.
Last year 10S companies were author
lied to do business in the State--5S fire,
% life, 8 assessment, 10 casualty and
guarantee, 6 accident and live stock
thsu nee companies. Five of the above
Con hnies are incorporated by this
Stale! -Four Of them pay an annual tax
of 800 and one company is exempt
from taxation. Since the preceding BIZ
cnnial report IL companies have been
admitted TO do business in this State.
During 1893 the companies incor-
polated by this State collected In the
State premiums, amounting to $751;
0T7.94, and incurred losses amounting to
$26,l00, and the companies of other
States and foreign countries having
authority to transact business in the
State received premiums amounting to
S179, 290.57 and incurred losses amount
ing to $96,276.98, showing the total
premium receipts for the year to have
been $3.50, 968.51, and total losses in.
Cured $l12,37699. During 1894 the
companies incorporated by the State
collected premiums in the State amount
ing to $50 1896 10 and incurred losses
amounting to $33, 62737, and the com.
panies of other States and foreign coun-
tries having authority to transact bust
ness in the State received premiums
amounting to $209,069.86 and incurred
losses amounting to $18i, 038.53, show.
ing the total premiums received for the
year to have been $299, 164S7, and total
losses incurred $214, 666.90.
The commissioners receipts from
March Esd, 1893, to October Sd, 1894
amounted to $14,263.69.
Mr.. Meredith concludes as follows
"a fruitful source of controversy be-
tween fire insurance companies anC
policy holders is the settlement of fire
losses. The State has direct and lively
interest in such controversies when in
cendiarism is supposed to have played {
part. + 1t IS in the interest of the people
that the cause of the fire be ascertained
as the lives and property of many per
sons are frequently involved. Fires tina
have shown possibility of incendiarisn
have been so frequent in the southern
portion Of our State during the past few
years most of the companies doing bust
ness in the State have ceased to g
below Dover and those that have con
tinued in that part of the State hav
been obliged to raise the per cent 81
high to meet losses insurance is almos
out of the question. In many States al
elaborate system of inspection of cause
of fires and prosecution of incendiarisn
through fire marshals has been insti
tuted. | do not advise the creation
of any new offices at this time
as the system is being thorough.
tested in other States, but / think thi
department should be authorized to in
vestigate all fires where there is an,
probability of incendiarism, as it can b
done without must cost to the State an
il properly managed will be of grea
importance to the insured. If com
pany withholds payment OF loss an
undertakes an Investigation a publ
hue and cry is raised that 1t is endeavoi
ing to avoid payment of its obligation
and it is not beyond possibility that
company or an agent might be guilty {
such conduct. Again, the property {
innocent people may have been lost b
inccndiarism, which the company faile
to investigate owing to the public pref
dice against such proceedings. If tn
department, which holds an impartii
relation to the companies and the il
sured, were authorized to make
thorough investigation the innocei
policy holders could not be forced
make an unjust settlement and the con
panies in m my instances could be save
IRON imposition and fraud"
He recommends that the act ament
Ing chapter 14O, Vol. XVIII, Laws
=. h. o1 Inv etriEinu M