New-York tribune., 1896-02-06
SENATE FOR RETALIATION
TT REFUSES TO AMEND THE BURNS
INSURANCE BILL.

THE MEASURE COMING VI FOk FINAL ANiiO.' W.
paY-THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS BILL AD-
vANcED-oT SENATE PROCEEDINGS
lFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRiBVNEJ
Albaov. Feb 5-The Burns Insurance Retalia-
ton bill directing the Superintendent OF the IN
surance Department to cancel the licenses or
foreign insurance companies II the governments
which charter them exclude American insurance
c,n,nanies. was debated In the Senate to-day,
having come over from the Assembly. where IL
was rassed yesterday. 1t met with resistance
from Senators Humphrey. Brackett and others
Mr. Humphrey offered amendment TO It, ex-
cluding fire and accident insurance companies
from its provisions. There was not sufficient IN
surance In this country, he argued for business
men having buildings and factories. and, besides
the American fire insurance companies were not
concerned In the dispute which had arisen oe-
tween the Prlssian Government and the Anerl-
can lfe-nsurance companies.
Senator Burns opposed the amendment. declar-
ing that 1t would deprive the measure OF half i's
force The Senate then came 70 vote on Sena-
tor Humphreys amendment and defeated 1t by
vote of 25 to 1S
Senator Bracket then offered an ernendmenl
70 the BILL providing that the Superintendent Of
the Insurance Department must have competent
evidence put before him Of unfair treatment OF
American companies by other governments before
he could exclude foreign companies transacting
business in this State The Superintendent OF the
Insurance Department he argued. ought not 10
have unrestricted power to shut out foreign COM
panies.
Senator Brackets amendment was opposed
by Senator Coggeshall. who argued that there
would be prolonged litigation II American COM
panies were compelled tc submit competent
evidence" The Senate then voted on Senator
Brackets amendment and rejected It. 20 to 22
Then Senator Bracket offered an amendment
to the effect that the consent Of the Governor
must be obtained before foreign company
could be excluded from the State.
The Governor does not wish this power. said
Senator Burns, and think l am revealing no
secret when / say that he favors the bill just
as it stands and will sign it II 1t comes to him"
Senator Malby opposed the bill whole,
declaring that it gave the Superintendent of
the Insurance Department excessive powers over
foreign insurance companies He was amazed at
the way in which the bill rushed through
the Legislature without proper consideration.
The passage of such law would do great
damage TO the insurance interests Of the State.
Mr. Brackets second amendment
1ected. but. In ways discouraged, apparently.
the Senator offered another amendment. author
izing the Supreme Court TO review decisions Of
ment excluding foreign companies Senator
Wray offered a substitute for this amend
ment one giving the foreign companies right
Of appeal to the Supreme Court to determine
the solvency of American companies making
complaints Of exclusion from foreign countries
This amendment would destroy the BILL" said
Senator Coggeshall and be argued at length
that American companies having been excluded
from Prussia the Prussian companies should be
shut out from New-York state. Senator Tibbitts
supported the amendment and opposed the bill.
The Senate then defeated the last Bracket.
amendment by q vote Of 20 TO "a. Upon motion
OF Senator Burns the Committee Of the Whole.
which had had the bill under consideration, then
decided TO report 1t favorably and without amend
n.ent to the Senate. The bill was then ordered to
third reading Senator Malby moved that It
be recommtted to the Insurance Committee This
motion defeated by vote Of 16 to 2S The
bill will come up for final vote tomorrow.
Senator Wrays bill making public accountants
subject TO examination by the Regents came up
IN general orders. Senator Raines offered an
amendment directing the Regents to charge fee
to those examined. 1t accepted. He Of
fered another amendment. which also
cepted, providing that the surplus Of fees. after
the cost of examinations have been paid. shall go
into the State Treasury.
Senator Grady moved to strike out the enacting
clause, and made speech against the bill. saying
that next the cear-diggers would be made sub
tect 20 examination by the Regents as 10 com
potency. Senator Wray defended the bill. saying
1t mainly designed put some authority
over the accountants who furnished prOspectuses
for ventures Under the bill any man could
practise accountant but only those
amined and licensed could use the abbreviaton
&C. p A. which would be a notice 10 the public
Of the accountants ability and his responsibility
The bin was advanced to third reading
Senator Cantor offered resolution directing
the Attorney General 10 inquire whether the
Antitrust law had been violated by an alleged
coal trust. The resolution was read and laid
the table. 1t will be printed.
The Finance Committee reported favorably the
nomination OF Henry F Howand and others TO
be managers of the Manhattan State Hospital.
and Andrew French TO be manager OF the Utica
State Hospital The nominations were confirmed.
Senator Pavey yroved TO take his BILL abolish
ing the office Of Ward School Trustees in New