The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-02

upon her throne"
Y. s. Quincy in The Sample Case.
-
The Commercial Traveller OF st. Louis
has the following to say editorally:
| From present indications 1t is more than
likely that when the Travellers Protective
| Association of America assemblies In an
| nual convention in the city of Nashville
ON June 1, it will have attained the largest
| membership in its history since the re-
| organization at Denver in 1890.
| This condition of affairs is certainly
| calculated to warrant those members who
| have been SO active in the successes OF the
| organization TO experience a feeling of
| pardonable pride, and to congratulate their
fellow members upon the record of the
| past
| while it Is true that some members
| have devoted themselves to the welfare
| Of the association with an ardor bordering
| almost upon fanatcsm it must not be
| presumed for n moment that the results
which have been attained are owing to
| either the energy. genius or ability of
any one, two or even dozen of the MEM
| bership. Albeit the efforts OF the few are
| entitled 10 the warmest commentator, 1t
must at all times be borne in mind that
1t Is the powerful but Silent influence Of
I've .n.l.e membership that has made pos
| Slplc all tldt mas Deel accomplished.
| Tho greatest dangers watch menace the
permanent stability of mutual organiza-
| ton such as the T. p. A, are overcon-
hdence and selishness 1t too frequently
| happens that the intoxicating influence Of
present success is but the forcrunner Of
| eventual dissolution. 1t would therefore
| seem that the merest prudence, to say
| nothing of the wisdom of such 4 policy,
would dictate that the time has arrived
when an organization carrying even a con-
tingent liability running into the hen
dreds OF thousands OF dollars, and an
actual liability, which based upon actuar-
les statistics. and better still, its own ex-
periencc. amounts TO almost its total rev.
enue. should begin 10 erect the bulwarls
OF its future strength In the shape of a
permanent reserve fund. which could not
be drawn upon except in the event OF an
extraordinary emergency.
- few years ago the question OF insui =
ance was one upon which the laety were
almost totally ignorant; but this condition
has changed of late years and today the
matter is looked at more from a strictly
business standpoint with every question OF
sentiment absolutely eliminated. and when
the shrewd business man OF today is asked
to buy Insurance. he looks not so much
10 the eNtravagant Inducements that may
be offered him as to the financial rospon-
sibiity OF those whom he Will call upon
to pay.
AS to the injury which may inure to
a cooperative organization by the dovel-
opment of selfish tendencies in its mciu-
, bership. 1t is only necessary to say that
there is nothing that viii work its de-
struction quicker than a generalization OF
power. The citadel of its strength lies il
the ability of the membership nj large &c
9 have voice in the direction OF lis affairs
and when that privilege is denied them
' not necessarily by legislative enact
ment. but by the dark lantern methods OF
] tho political machinator-then the fouu.
dation Is weakened and the TALL of the
entire structure Is but question of tine
: THE Travellers Protective association
is great organization with a glorious iu-
e ture in view, and while the Commercial
Traveller does not desire to be understood
s as taking IA pessimistic view of the here
after. we do believe that it is better t'
. spend few of the present hours in care
full consideration than all OF the attel
years in remuglent reeantaton
(. This article is not written in spirl
OF criticism, NO. IS 1t intended 10 be pro
l. phetlc, but as plain proposition inyolY
ing only Oft demonstrated elements o
S fact, it is submitted as food tor reilec
ton"
= There is wisdom in the above, Tn
Travellers Protective Association O
America is u business institution. toundc
upon business basis Tor the protector
of 1t members. the benefits 10 accrue bein
Il assistance in case OF trouble while lY'n
and financial aid TO surviving tnmile
d should death ensue. The past has show
that the members have received larS
i benefits, and the association has auilcra
not the least. its revenues being sufficient
ly large TO meet all obligations and ye
10 leave a surplus That reserve fun
would not be out of the question is appaf
IT tnt to every one, How this could be GT
ranged Is not e this time finishe
10 question, but It WIN I'd be well for the Ma
tional convention 20 discuss 1t. At III
d head of the association should be bust
ness men, capacitatcd to in every wa
manage the affairs of n great institution
which has for its primary object of eAl
r istence n feature of cooperative protee
ton in financial way Large life IN
IN surance companies protect the pole
holders on lines suggested by the Com
ly merclal Traveller and while there Is Il
danger threatened at this time, still It
not out Of place 10 consider the matte
W The Travellers Protective Association
America will be in existence as long Q
I'd there are travelling men in this couhtr!
and as long as commerce Is carried
ST there will be travelling men It's oole'
Is a laudable one. and it will prosper
There will be a meeting this morning.
Post at the headquarters at the Ne
US Hutchns house. at which time repor
as from committees having In charge the ell
tertainment OF the recent State convenu'
he will be handed In. There will probao
=, be movement. started to change the TIN
of meeting from Sunday morning. sor
OF the members have had this under di
nd cusson, and il Is probable the luiu
meetings will DO held Saturday night
- Election of Officers.