The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-05
THE INSURANCE BILL.
All Honor to AbbeviIIe's Faithful
Representative, the Hon. Isaac HI.
HoCnl1a

McCalIa.
The people of South Carolina, and especial
vote of thanks for his determined effort to de.
fend the people against the insurance compa-
nies.
On motion of Mr. McCalla his insurance
bill which was the next special order, was
taken up, and an amendment offered by Mr..
McCala, which will be of interest to the
Lloyds people Mr.. McCalla offered 1t after
the words of the amendment insert "or indi-
viduals" writing fire insurance.
He offered another an to concurrent insur-
ance. which is practically the law now in ef-
feet, and provides that where property Is in
sured In two or more companies each shall
bear proportionate share of the loss A pro-
vision that there should be lien on the in
drawn after debate.
Mr.. Ehrd moved to amend the amendment
by striklng OUT tconcurrentand making 1t con-
tri6utiye, which Mr.. McCalla agreed to.
Mr.. McCalla said that the object OF the bill
was 10 nix the value OF the property before the
property was insured. He had not been able
to satisfy everybody. The insurance men had
Mr.. E6rd wanted to know know ' why he wanted
10 include the clause making insurance paya-
BILE TO mortgages. 1t might create hardship
on the insurance companies. II he loaned
ance made out TO him, and would put IL In
the mortgage.
Mr.. McCalla wanted it In the interest OF
fairness, but withdrew IL.
Mr.. Moses said that the bill would have q
tendency TO raise rates. 1t would prove an
additional hardship on the people. or thirty
five companies doing business in bis city only
five would now insure farm property. This
In no way connected with insurance, and
spoke for the interests Of the people. He had
known OF no instances where the insurer had
gotten the worst Of the bargain, and he knew
Of many instances where the company had
paid many times the value of the loss.
Mr.. Pettigrew said that there would be less
property insured for more than its value, and
the effect would be beneficial.
Mr.. Barnwell asked if Mr.. McCala would
be willing to make an exception as to city
property.
beville wanted 1t, and the bill should pass as
whole.
MIR. Barnwell said that in Charleston 1t was
not customary to value property-real estate.
Every one knew the value, but II this passed
they would Lave to hire an expert TO examine
the buildings. The risks in Charleston were
the safest In the South. He would vote for
the bill II the gentleman would except cities
over 10000 Inhabitants II the country insur-
ance were raised II would raise the city insur-
ance also. Mr.. McCalla would not agree to
Mr.. Barnwell's suggestion.
MIR. Kirk land had framed an amendment
upon the law of Nebraska and spoke to his
amendment, which provided thatin the case
Of contributiye insurance the different com.
panies should pay the full insurable value OF
the property, which amounted TO saying that
If man insured S. 0O0 house in five compa-
nies for $1,000 each he would get $4,000 in case
OF loss.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Barnwell then spoke TO Mr.. McCalla's
amendment, and frankly confessing that be
did not understand the amendment, which
was certainly not what the insurace men had
agreed to.
Mr.. Mayfeld said that the bill was practl.
cally unchanged.
Mr.; Barnwell said that he did not under
stand It that way.
Mr.. Townsend offered an amendment em.
powering the Insurer and insured to waive
the conditions of the bill by mutual agree
ment, which was tabled on motion Of Mr.. Nc
Gala.
Mr.. Barnwell offered an amendment pro-
vialng that the value OF the property should
be fixed by the insurer and the insured. He
value Of the property. This would leave out
any ambiguity In the bill. 1t would save
trouble. The result would prove, he would
stake his reputation on 1t rs lawyer, that II
the bill passed as IL was IL would cause law
suits.
Mr.. Finley asked that Mr.. Barnwell insert
policy.
Mr.. Barnwell accepted the suggestion, and
the amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Barnwell then offered another amend.
ment to except cities Of more than fifteen
thousand Inhabitants from the operation OF
the three.fourth clause and sixty day estoppel
provisions OF the bill.
ment TO strike out Is and Insert 4. This was
rejected and Mr.. McCalla moved TO table Mr..
Barn wells amendment, but got only five
votes, and demanded no further count.
The bill was then passed and ordered en-
crossed and sent to the House.