The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-10-07
MONETT TALKS.
10 Says He Is Enforcing 0hlo's
Laws and Is Being Opposed.
Columbus, O., Oct s.

Columbus, o., Oct 8.
For nearly year past Attorney
General Monnett, who Is candidate
IN the Republican ticket for re-elec-
Hon. has been prosecuting alleged vio-
lators Of the insurance laws of the
state, which laws prohibit the arbi-
trary fixing Of insurance rates in the
state of Ohio by trusts and combina-
tions OF course, the accused compa-
nies and corporations will have their
day in court, but in the meantime 1t
is alleged that insurance agents are
working secretly against Mr.. Monnett
for doing what the statutes provide,
though perhaps Mr.. Monnett's opp0-
nent on the Democratic ticket would
not care at this time to say that he
himself, II elected, would not enforce
the laws of Ohio In the attorney gen.
erals department. That he has agreed
with the insurance agents to "let up
on prosecutions II elected does not ap-
pear, and yet the insurance corpora
tions doing business in Ohio In an ille-
gal manner are working for him and
against Mr.. Monnett.
Mr.. Monnett talked as follows to
your correspondent upon this very Inn
portant question:
when began the eleven cases In
the supreme court of the state of Ohio
against the leading English, Canadian,
Scottish and American companies that
were doing business in the state of
Ohio.it was early In the year, when no
campaign was on, and did not expect
1t to be political question.
my defense is, II 1t needs and de-
fense, that have sworn duty to per-
for to enforce the laws and constitu-
tion of the state of Ohio. Reputable
firms doing large manufacturing
business In the state Of Ohio, first from
Dayton, afterward from Akron and
Sandusky and other points, filed writ
ten complaints with me that there
was combine of insurance companies
to maintain an illegal rate Of insur-
ance in the state of Ohio; that during
the panic of 1856 many struggling
industries in the state OF Ohio were
trying to curtail expenses in order to
save themselves from bankruptcy, and
to continue running and keep their la
Dor force employed. Among other re-
ductions they tried to get q reduction
in insurance, and upon the sworn tes-
i. timony already taken In six Of the
larger cities Of the state q most re-
markable state OF affairs exists in the
state of Ohio at the present time.
For 1t is evident that large num-
Der, upwards Of 60 insurance COM
panies. are violating the expressed
statutes of the state. which provides
that no insurance company shall enter
into any compact or combination with
other insurance companies, or shall re-
| Quire their agents to enter into any
compact or combination with other in
surance companies, for the purpose of
governing or controlling the rates
charged for fire insurance on any
property within this state.
"The chapter defining the duties Of
the attorney general makes 1t his duty,
when upon complaint or otherwise, he
has good reason to believe that cor
!. poration doing business in the state
of Ohio has misused it's franchise,
privilege or right conferred upon 1t by
law, or when it claims or holds by
contract or otherwise, or has exercised
franchise, privilege or right In con-
travention Of law, such offending cor
poration shall be brought before the
supreme court Of the state to answer
to such charges.
when the above mentioned COM
plants were duly fled would have
been recreant to my trust as such an
official, had done otherwise than take
prompt action. l told the companies
and their attorneys who called upon
me that If they were In the right, and
not violating the trust law, the six
judges of the supreme court would dc
them no harm. If they were not right
they should be brought to swift judg-
ment and speedy punishment. They
will-have their day in court as would
any other accused, and as well might
they attempt to prosecute any couri
or other officer for doing what is plain
ly his duty. And the matter has not
place for moment as political
question, and surely reflects upon my
opponent to believe that they have
hone 0f relief thr0urh o1ectinp him